Rafael Nogueira
Mozambique Eyes Knockout Stage at 2025 Afcon
Mozambique is determined to break new ground at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with former international Manuel Bucuane expressing confidence in the team’s ability to advance past the group stage for the first time.
The Mambas have yet to secure a victory in five previous Afcon appearances, managing five draws and suffering 10 losses in 15 matches. However, under the guidance of Chiquinho Conde, the squad is showing promise.
Drawn in Group F alongside defending champions Ivory Coast, five-time winners Cameroon, and Gabon led by star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Mozambique faces a daunting challenge. Yet, Bucuane remains hopeful.
“Mozambique doesn’t always play at this level, so whenever the team qualifies, it’s a big achievement for the country,” the retired striker told BBC Sport Africa. “The team is growing, there’s a lot of youngsters that are promising. We have players that are showing they can compete at the highest level.”
“We are hoping that for the first time we can win a match or even progress to the next stage. It’s not going to be easy. We are in a very difficult group with very strong countries, but we believe in these boys.”
Mozambique has qualified for consecutive Afcon tournaments for the first time since 1998, having held Egypt and Ghana to draws in the 2023 edition.
Bucuane, 52, highlighted the progress under Conde, who took charge in October 2021: “Since Chiquinho Conde took over, the team has been improving. We have opened this door for naturalized players to come and play for the national team, which is a very important step since they’re coming from a different environment and they bring competitiveness.”
He added, “In Ivory Coast, we showed glimpses of what we can achieve. For the very first time in World Cup qualifiers, we kept the hope until the end. Our hope is that this time around, maybe we might achieve something.”
Mozambique’s Afcon Campaign Kicks Off
The Mambas begin their campaign against Ivory Coast on Wednesday (17:30 GMT), followed by matches against Gabon (28 December) and Cameroon (31 December).
A key source of optimism is the squad’s growing European influence. Left-back Reinildo made history as the first Mozambican to play in the English Premier League, debuting for Sunderland in August after joining from Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, defender Bruno Langa and forward Geny Catamo have both featured in the Champions League this season with Pafos and Sporting CP, respectively.
“Reinildo playing in the Premier League is a huge thing for the country,” Bucuane said. “He’s really carrying the Mozambique flag and opening that door in England. But also having Geny playing for Sporting, they’ve won the championship twice in a row, we have Bruno playing for Pafos, also in the Champions League. All that experience these players are gaining, they’re bringing back to the national team.”
Bucuane, nicknamed Tico Tico, holds a special place in Mozambique’s Afcon history. He scored the nation’s first-ever goal at the finals, securing a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in the 1996 tournament.
“That day was special. It was very emotional,” he recalled. “It was an unbelievable moment. Even today, because I have the game on tape, I still watch it. It still gives me goosebumps.”
He reflected, “Those moments make you a legend, and in Mozambique, people still recognize me for that. Mozambique goes through a lot of challenges socially, and football is the light that comes to shine on the people. We’re all behind the team and looking forward to our first Afcon victory.”
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