Binewa Team Profile: Mozambique at TotalEnergies AFCON 2023
Bio
Mozambique qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since 2010.
The OS Mambas will make their fifth appearance after previous participations in 1986, 1996, 1998 and 2010.
The Journey
Mozambique secured their place in the finals with an impressive performance, accumulating ten points to finish second in Group L, four points behind leaders Senegal.
The OS Mambas started its campaign with a one-all draw against Rwanda at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 2. Stanley Ratifo equalised for the ‘out of home’ hosts at the 67th minute, two minutes after Nishimwe gifted Rwanda the lead.
A slender one-nil win at the Stade de l’amitie in Cotonou, courtesy Geny Catamo’s 38th minute strike, blew open Mozambique’s campaign.
Successive home and away defeats to Senegal put the Mambas in a bad position, but they recovered with dire back-to-back wins on the road, and at home against Rwanda and Benin.
Game day 6, in group L of the qualifiers had it all.
The crucial game kicked off with a penalty goal from Benin’s Steve Mounie in the 20th minute, but Mozambique responded swiftly when Witiness Quembo netted the equalizer just seven minutes later, delighting the home crowd.
Displaying their determination, Mozambique took control of the match as GD Chaves’ midfielder Ricardo Guimaraes scored a crucial goal in the 32nd minute to put his team in the lead.
However, Benin’s Jodel Dossou restored parity five minutes before the break, setting the stage for an intense second half.
In a dramatic turn of events during injury time, Mozambique’s Clesio Bauque delivered the winning goal, securing a memorable 3-2 victory for the hosts and solidifying their place in the finals.
Qualifications matches
Mozambique 1–1 Rwanda
Ratifo 67’//
Nishimwe 65′
Benin 0–1 Mozambique
Catamo 38′
Senegal 5–1 Mozambique
Sabaly 9′
Mané 15′
Ndiaye 32′
Dia 39′
Diallo 88’//
Vilanculos 48′
Mozambique 0–1 Senegal
Dia Boulaye 18′
Rwanda 0–2 Mozambique
Catamo 43′
Clésio 90+4′
Mozambique 3–2 Benin
Witi 27′
Guima 31′
Clésio 90+5’//
Mounié 20′
Dossou 50′
Group L table after qualifications matches
Senegal 14 pts
Mozambique 10 pts
Benin 5 pts
Rwanda 3 pts
Players to watch
Mozambique has in its ranks some top players, with this group finally attaining maturity after sticking around for sometime.
Geny Cipriano
Sporting CP wing back, Geny Cipriano Catamo will make a nuisance of himself down the flanks. The 22 year old is always probing, looking for an in road to assist or get on the score sheet himself. Geny Catamo formerly represented Mozambique at U17 and U20 levels before his senior team debut in 2019.
The Maputo native has scored four international goals for Mozambique, including his goal in the World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon in October 2021.
Clésio Palmirim David Baúque
Clesio ended Mozambique’s qualifiers campaign as joint top scorer (2 goals) and the FC Honka man looks the real deal when deployed on the wings.
Clesio, 29, is one of the most capped players in the young Mozambique side having made 46 appearances for 7 goals. He is technically gifted with tricky feet. Blink twice, and Clesio appears in the area at lightening quick pace.
Reinildo Isnard
Reinildo is the most popular of all the active Mozambican players as he plays his club Football for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
The 29 year old will look to bring his experience and calm in defense, especially with Mozambique set to face tough attacking teams in Ghana and Egypt in group B.
Coach
At the helm of the OS Mambas is coach Chiquinho Conde, who himself, is a former player for the national team.
58-year-old Chiquinho took over from Horacio Goncalves in 2021, with Goncalves having lasted just 6 months after his appointment.
Chiquinho Conde thrives playing with three at the defense, mostly utilising wing backs to devastating effects.
AFCON games
Mozambique’s first AFCON game in group B is a ‘do or die’ against 2021 beaten finalists Egypt – on January 14.
After a brawl against the 7-time AFCON winners, Mozambique pits Cape Verde on January 19, and then, finish with group stage affairs against Ghana on June 22.
