Mozambique

Nickname	Os Mambas (The Mambas)
Association	Federação Moçambicana de Futebol (FMF)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Chiquinho Conde
Captain	Domingues
Most caps	Domingues (124)
Top scorer	Tico-Tico (30)
Home stadium	Estádio do Zimpeto
FIFA code	MOZ
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	101 1 (19 January 2026)[1]
Highest	66 (November 1997)
Lowest	134 (July 2005, September 2006)
First international
Mozambique 2–1 Zambia  (Mozambique; 25 June 1975)
Biggest win
Mozambique 6–1 Lesotho  (Mozambique; 10 August 1980)  Mozambique 5–0 South Sudan  (Maputo, Mozambique; 18 May 2014)  Mozambique 5–0 Lesotho  (Maputo, Mozambique; 2 June 2021)
Biggest defeat
Rhodesia 6–0 Mozambique  (Salisbury, Rhodesia; 19 May 1979)  Zimbabwe 6–0 Mozambique  (Salisbury, Zimbabwe; 20 April 1980)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	6 (first in 1986)
Best result	Round of 16 (2025)
African Nations Championship
Appearances	2 (first in 2014)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2022)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances	19 (first in 1997)
Best result	Runners-up (2008, 2015)
Medal record COSAFA Cup 2008 South Africa 2015 South Africa 1997 Southern Africa 2009 Zimbabwe 2024 South Africa

The Mozambique national football team (Portuguese: Seleção Moçambicana de Futebol) represents Mozambique in men's international football competitions and is controlled by the Mozambican Football Federation, the governing body for football in Mozambique. Mozambique have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, but they have qualified for six Africa Cup of Nations, having advanced to the knockout stage for the first time in 2025. They have also appeared at the African Nations Championship on two occasions where, at the 2022 edition, they claimed their first ever victory and reached the knockout stage of an 11-aside CAF tournament for the first time history. In 1997, the Mozambique Football Federation became a founding member of COSAFA.

Mozambique's home ground is Estádio do Zimpeto in Zimpeto in the capital city Maputo, and can hold 42,000 spectators. The team's current head coach is former player Chiquinho Conde, who became manager in July 2019,^[3] replacing previous head coach and former Portugal international Abel Xavier, who had been in charge since February 2016.^[4]

On the day of independence in 1975, Mozambique played its first ever match; a friendly against Zambia, winning 2–1. Two years later, Cuba became Mozambique's first non-African opponent when the two countries met in Mozambique, with Cuba winning 2–0.^[5] Mozambique entered World Cup qualifying for the first time in the 1982 qualifying competition. Mozambique were defeated 7–3 over two legs by Zaire in the first round.

Mozambique qualified for its first Africa Cup of Nations in 1986. In the qualifying competition they beat Mauritius, Malawi (on penalties), and finally Libya, winning again on penalties.

At the final tournament in Egypt, Mozambique were placed in Group A along with Senegal, Ivory Coast and hosts Egypt. They lost all their games 3–0, 2–0 and 2–0, not scoring a single goal.

Mozambique had to wait 10 years to qualify for another Africa Cup of Nations, as they qualified for the 1996 tournament in South Africa. They were placed in Group D along with Ivory Coast, Ghana and Tunisia. Mozambique played their first game against Tunisia in Port Elizabeth, drawing 1–1 with Tico-Tico scoring their first ever goal at the finals in the 4th minute. They then went on to lose 1–0 to Ivory Coast and 2–0 to Ghana, thus eliminating them from the tournament.

Two years later, Mozambique qualified for their third Africa Cup of Nations held in Burkina Faso. They were again placed in group D along with Morocco, Egypt and Zambia. Mozambique lost their first game against eventual tournament winners Egypt 2–0, both goals coming from Hossam Hassan. In their second game they again lost to Morocco 3–0, therefore eliminating them from the tournament with one game still remaining. In their last game against Zambia, they drew 1–1, their first goal of the tournament. This would prove to be their last African Cup of Nations game for 12 years.

Mozambique entered the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification in the second round, and were placed in Group 7 with Botswana, Madagascar and African football giants Ivory Coast. They made a terrible start to qualifying, losing to Ivory Coast and minnows Botswana 1–0 and 2–1, and drawing 1–1 with Madagascar. Mozambique then went on to beat Madagascar 3–0 in Antananarivo with goals coming from Tico-Tico, Carlitos and Domingues. They then drew 1–1 with Ivory Coast and beat Botswana 1–0 in Gaborone to qualify for the third Round.

Mozambique were one of the lowest seeded teams in the third round, and were placed in Group B with Nigeria, Tunisia and Kenya. They went on to draw their first game against giants Nigeria 0–0 in Maputo. They then went on to lose their next to games against Tunisia and Kenya 2–0 and 2–1, now making it a struggle to qualify for their first FIFA World Cup. In the next game, they beat Kenya 1–0 with Tico-Tico scoring, but then a loss to Nigeria eliminated them from qualifying. In the last game they beat Tunisia 1–0 in a victory that stopped Tunisia from qualifying. Despite not qualifying for the World Cup, this win was enough to secure third place and qualification for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

After a 12-year absence from Africa Cup of Nations football, Mozambique were placed in Group C with Egypt, Nigeria and Benin. In their first game, they played Benin, drawing 2–2 after being 2–0 down, with goals coming from Miro and Fumo. They then went on to lose 2–0 to eventual tournament winners Egypt and 3–0 to Nigeria, thus eliminating them from the tournament. After the tournament, all-time top scorer and captain Tico-Tico retired from international football.

Mozambique had several close misses when it came to reaching another AFCON Finals. During the 2013 qualifiers, they reached the final round and beat Morocco 2–0 in the first leg in Maputo. However, they were beaten 4–0 in Marrakesh four days later. During the 2019 qualifiers the Mambas were only denied by a Guinea-Bissau equaliser in stoppage time at the end of their final Group K match.

Finally, in 2023, Mozambique qualified for the AFCON for the first time since 2010 after beating Benin 3-2 at home on the final day of qualification. They would finish bottom of their group at the finals, drawing 2-2 with both Egypt and Ghana in their first and last games respectively but losing 3-0 to Cape Verde in between.

Mozambique qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to be their sixth appearance at the tournament.

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations played between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026.^[6]

Caps and goals correct as of 5 January 2026, after the match against Nigeria.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Ernan Siluane	(1998-07-09) 9 July 1998 (age 27)	32	0	Black Bulls
12	1GK	Kimiss Zavala	(2004-05-08) 8 May 2004 (age 21)	1	0	Marítimo
22	1GK	Ivane Urrubal	(1997-03-01) 1 March 1997 (age 29)	13	0	Songo
2	2DF	Nanani	(1996-02-08) 8 February 1996 (age 30)	30	0	Songo
3	2DF	Nené	(1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 (age 29)	33	1	Abu Salim
4	2DF	Fernando Chamboco	(1998-06-15) 15 June 1998 (age 27)	11	0	Black Bulls
5	2DF	Bruno Langa	(1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 (age 28)	37	1	Pafos
8	2DF	Edmilson Dove	(1994-07-18) 18 July 1994 (age 31)	39	0	Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
14	2DF	Oscar Cherene	(2003-03-28) 28 March 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Textáfrica
15	2DF	Reinildo Mandava (third captain)	(1994-01-21) 21 January 1994 (age 32)	56	5	Sunderland
17	2DF	Mexer (vice-captain)	(1987-09-08) 8 September 1987 (age 38)	77	3	Ankara Keçiörengücü
23	2DF	Diogo Calila	(1998-10-10) 10 October 1998 (age 27)	8	1	Santa Clara
6	3MF	Manuel Kambala	(1991-08-21) 21 August 1991 (age 34)	42	0	Polokwane City
7	3MF	Domingues (captain)	(1983-11-13) 13 November 1983 (age 42)	124	17	Songo
10	3MF	Geny Catamo	(2001-01-26) 26 January 2001 (age 25)	43	14	Sporting CP
11	3MF	João Bonde	(1997-01-09) 9 January 1997 (age 29)	6	0	Ferroviário Beira
16	3MF	Alfons Amade	(1999-11-12) 12 November 1999 (age 26)	20	1	Dunfermline Athletic
20	3MF	Keyns Abdala	(2003-03-15) 15 March 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Chaves
21	3MF	Guima	(1995-11-14) 14 November 1995 (age 30)	25	2	Zira
28	3MF	Shaquille	(1997-11-24) 24 November 1997 (age 28)	42	0	Sagrada Esperança
9	4FW	Faisal Bangal	(1995-01-05) 5 January 1995 (age 31)	16	4	Mestre
13	4FW	Stanley Ratifo	(1994-12-05) 5 December 1994 (age 31)	41	9	Chemie Leipzig
18	4FW	Gildo Vilanculos	(1995-01-31) 31 January 1995 (age 31)	39	4	Tadamon Sour
19	4FW	Witi	(1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 (age 29)	44	4	Nacional
24	4FW	Melque Alexandre	(1997-06-26) 26 June 1997 (age 28)	27	4	Songo
25	4FW	Chamito	(2004-01-14) 14 January 2004 (age 22)	8	3	Académico de Viseu
26	4FW	Ângelo Cantolo	(2003-05-23) 23 May 2003 (age 22)	2	0	Chingale
27	4FW	Clésio	(1994-10-11) 11 October 1994 (age 31)	62	9	Black Bulls

The following players have been called up for Mozambique in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
DF	Chico	(1991-11-05) 5 November 1991 (age 34)	41	0	Costa do Sol	v.  Botswana, 8 September 2025
DF	Domingos Macandza	(1998-06-17) 17 June 1998 (age 27)	24	0	Black Bulls	v.  Algeria, 25 March 2025
MF	Pepo	(1994-03-24) 24 March 1994 (age 31)	13	2	Caldas	v.  Chad, 18 November 2025
MF	Amadú	(1996-03-12) 12 March 1996 (age 30)	32	0	Tanzania Prisons	v.  Algeria, 25 March 2025
FW	Elias Macamo	(1994-01-14) 14 January 1994 (age 32)	8	1	Ferroviário de Maputo	v.  Algeria, 25 March 2025
FW	Kélvio Neves	(2005-01-02) 2 January 2005 (age 21)	0	0	Black Bulls	v.  Algeria, 25 March 2025
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. PRE Preliminary squad. RET Player has retired from international football. SUS Suspended from the national team.

As of 5 January 2026^[7]

Players in bold are still active with Mozambique.

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1.	Domingues Pelembé	124	17	2004–present
2.	Tico-Tico	94	30	1992–2010
3.	Miró Lobo	84	8	2004–2015
4.	Mexer	80	3	2007–present
5.	Sérgio Faife	67	5	1992–2008
6.	João Kapango	66	0	1996–2012
	Nana Matola	66	5	1988–1999
8.	Zainadine Júnior	64	1	2008–2023
9.	Clésio	63	9	2011–present
10.	Momed Hagi	62	3	2005–2015

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1.	Tico-Tico	30	94	0.32	1992–2010
2	Domingues Pelembé	17	124	0.14	2004–present
3.	Dário Monteiro	16	48	0.33	1996–2011
4.	Geny Catamo	14	43	0.33	2019–present
5.	Chiquinho Conde	12	43	0.28	1985–2001
6.	Gil Guiamba	11	22	0.5	1980–1983
7.	Arnaldo Ouana	10	37	0.27	1987–1999
8	Luís Miquissone	9	48	0.19	2015–2023
	Stanley Ratifo	9	50	0.18	2017–present
	Clésio	9	63	0.14	2011–present

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1974	Part of  Portugal									Part of  Portugal
1978	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1982	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	3	7
1986 and 1990	Did not enter									Declined participation
1994	Did not qualify									4	0	1	3	3	11
1998										2	0	1	1	1	3
2002										2	1	0	1	2	2
2006										2	0	0	2	3	5
2010										12	4	3	5	10	10
2014										8	2	3	3	7	11
2018										2	1	0	1	1	1
2022										8	3	1	4	5	8
2026										10	6	0	4	14	17
2030	To be determined									To be determined
2034
Total	–	0/11	–	–	–	–	–	–		52	17	9	26	49	75

African Cup of Nations record											Qualification record
Appearances: 6											Appearances: 23
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of  Portugal										Part of  Portugal
1959
1962
1963
1965
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976	Not affiliated to CAF										Not affiliated to CAF
1978
1980	Did not enter										Did not enter
1982	Did not qualify										4	1	1	2	11	8
1984											2	1	0	1	3	4
1986	Group stage	8th	3	0	0	3	0	7	Squad		6	2	3	1	8	5
1988	Did not qualify										2	0	1	1	3	4
1990											2	0	0	2	0	4
1992											4	2	0	2	3	3
1994											6	1	3	2	5	7
1996	Group stage	14th	3	0	1	2	1	4	Squad		10	6	2	2	16	8
1998		16th	3	0	0	3	1	8	Squad		6	3	1	2	10	7
2000	Did not qualify										6	2	1	3	6	10
2002											2	1	0	1	1	1
2004											6	2	2	2	3	8
2006											2	0	0	2	3	5
2008											6	2	3	1	5	4
2010	Group stage	15th	3	0	1	2	2	7	Squad		12	4	3	5	10	10
2012	Did not qualify										6	2	1	3	4	6
2013											4	1	2	1	4	6
2015											10	3	5	2	13	7
2017											6	2	1	3	5	7
2019											6	2	2	2	7	7
2021											6	1	1	4	5	10
2023	Group stage	21st	3	0	2	1	4	7	Squad		6	3	1	2	8	9
2025	Round of 16	13th	4	1	0	3	4	9	Squad		6	3	2	1	9	5
2027	To be determined										To be determined
2029
Total	Round of 16	6/35	19	1	4	14	12	42	—		126	44	35	47	139	145

African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 2
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2009	Did not qualify
2011
2014	Group stage	16th	3	0	0	3	4	9
2016	Did not qualify
2018
2020
2022	Quarter-finals	8th	4	1	1	2	4	6
2024	Did not qualify
Total	Quarter-finals	2/8	6	1	1	5	8	15

• COSAFA Cup
  • Runners-up (2): 2008, 2015
  • Third place (3): 1997, 2009, 2024

• Federação Moçambicana de Futebol (in Portuguese) (archived 21 June 2015)
• Mozambique at CAF
• Mozambique at FIFA
• National football team picture