Mozambique may not belong to Africa’s traditional football powerhouses, but at the Africa Cup 2025 the Mambas arrive with passion, resilience, and a growing reputation as one of the continent’s most intriguing underdogs. Blending young talents with experienced leaders, they have shown in recent years that they are edging closer to a long-awaited breakthrough. Where others rely on big-name stars, Mozambique stand out for their collective spirit, tireless work ethic and ability to push stronger opponents to the limit. That makes them one of the most unpredictable and exciting teams to watch at this tournament.
- Nickname: The Mambas
- Head coach: Chiquinho Conde
- Football Association: Federação Moçambicana de Futebol
- AFCON appearances: 5 times
- FIFA ranking: 85
Mozambique’s Match Schedule
Mozambique has been drawn into Group F, alongside Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon. Below is their full group stage schedule, including dates, times and venues. So you know exactly when to follow the Mambas.
| 24 December | Group stage |
 Côte d’Ivoire Mozambique | 1 0 |
| 28 December | Group stage |
 Gabon Mozambique | 2 3 |
| 31 December | Group stage |
Mozambique Cameroon | 1 2 |
| 5 January | Round of 16 |
 Nigeria Mozambique | 4 0 |
Stats Mozambique AFCON 2025
Top scorer
| # | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Geny Catamo | 2 |
| 2. | Diogo Cabral | 1 |
| 3. | Faisal Abdul Bangal | 1 |
Assists
| # | Player | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Geny Catamo | 1 |
| 2. | Witiness Quembo | 1 |
| 3. | Nanani Infren | 1 |
Rating
| # | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ernan | 7,8 |
| 2. | Ivane | 7,3 |
| 3. | Geny Catamo | 7,2 |
| 4. | Manuel Kambala | 7,0 |
| 5. | Reinildo Mandava | 6,8 |
| 6. | Bruno Langa | 6,7 |
| 7. | Edson Mexer | 6,7 |
| 8. | Ricardo Guimarães | 6,7 |
| 9. | Stanley Ratifo | 6,7 |
| 10. | Diogo Cabral | 6,7 |
Mozambique Squad
Keepers:
Ernan (Black Bulls), Ivane Urrubal (Ferroviáro de Nacala), Kimiss Zavala (Marítimo)
Defenders:
Bruno Langa (Pafos FC), Oscar Cherene (UD Songo), Diogo Cabral (Santa Clara), Nanani (UD Songo), Edmilson Dove (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya), Reinildo Mandava (Sunderland), Edson Sitoe (Ankara Keciörengücü), Nené (Abu Salim SC), Chamboco (Black Bulls)
Midfielders:
João Bonde (Ferroviáro da Beira), Ricardo Guimarães (Zira FK), Manuel Kambala (Polokwane City), Keyns Abdala (GD Chaves), Alfons Amade (Dunfermline Athletic), Elias Pelembe (UD Songo)
Attackers:
Geny Catamo (Sporting CP), Witiness Quembo (Nacional da Madeira), Gildo Vilanculos (Tadamon Sour), Chamito Alfandega (Académico de Viseu), Stanley Ratifo (Chemie Leipzig), Melque Alexandre (UD Songo), Faizal Bangal (AC Mestre)
Head Coach Mozambique
Former Mambas striker Chiquinho Conde has been tasked with leading his nation to new heights. After a playing career in Portugal and the United States, he transitioned into coaching in 2005 and steadily climbed the ranks before being appointed national team coach in 2021.
Conde is known for his strong personality and pragmatic style, often frustrating opponents with disciplined defensive organization while inspiring his team to fight for every inch. His goal is clear: to rewrite Mozambique’s AFCON history.
Star Player Mozambique
Geny Catamo is the undisputed star of Mozambique’s squad. A product of the local academies at Maxaquene and Black Bulls, he moved to Portugal as a teenager, joining Amora before signing for Sporting CP. After loan spells at Vitória SC and Marítimo, he established himself in Sporting’s first team, winning back-to-back Portuguese league titles (2023/24 & 2024/25) and lifting the domestic cup in 2025. In December 2023, he signed a five-year contract extension with a staggering €60 million release clause.
Catamo has also made history at international level. Since debuting in 2019 (and scoring in his first match), he has become a vital figure for the Mambas, famously netting in World Cup qualifying against Cameroon. In 2024, he became the first Mozambican player ever to score in the UEFA Champions League, striking against Club Brugge. With explosive pace, technical flair and relentless work rate, he is equally effective in attack and defense.
Mozambique AFCON History
Mozambique’s history at the Africa Cup is modest but memorable. Their debut came in 1986, followed by further appearances in 1996, 1998 and 2010. In each of these tournaments, they fell short of the knockout rounds, but not without leaving behind flashes of their spirited identity.
While they have yet to make a deep run, Mozambique have built a reputation as dangerous outsiders capable of springing surprises during qualification. Each campaign has kept alive the dream that the Mambas will one day break through on Africa’s biggest stage.
Road to AFCON 2025
Mozambique impressed during the qualifiers, finishing second behind group winners Mali. They recorded three wins, two draws and just one defeat, collecting 11 points in total. With nine goals scored and only five conceded, they showcased a balance between solid defense and sharp attacking play. The campaign proved the Mambas are ready to once again challenge Africa’s elite and perhaps go further than ever before at the finals in Morocco.
| Friday 6 September 2024 | |
 Mali Mozambique | 1 1 |
| Tuesday 10 September 2024 | |
Mozambique Guinea-Bissau | 2 1 |
| Monday 7 October 2024 | |
Mozambique Eswatini | 1 1 |
| Monday 14 October 2024 | |
| Eswatini Mozambique | 0 3 |
| Monday 11 November 2024 | |
| Mozambique Mali | 0 1 |
| Tuesday 19 November 2024 | |
| Guinea-Bissau Mozambique | 1 2 |
| Team | PTS | G | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mali | 14 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | +9 |
| Mozambique | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +4 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -2 |
| Eswatini | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -11 |
Stats
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Stanley Ratifo | 3 |
| 2. | Geny Catamo | 2 |
| 3. | Elias Macamo | 1 |
| 4. | Guima | 1 |
| 5. | Dominguês | 1 |
| 6. | Bruno Langa | 1 |
Assists
| Player | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bruno Langa | 4 |
| 2. | Gildo | 1 |
| 3. | Stanley Ratifo | 1 |
| 4. | Geny Catamo | 1 |
Players Rating
| Player | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Geny Catamo | 7,5 |
| 2. | Bruno Langa | 7,3 |
| 3. | Nené | 7,2 |
| 4. | Stanley Ratifo | 7,1 |
| 5. | Fernando Chamboco | 7,0 |
| 6. | Reinildo Mandava | 7,0 |
| 7. | Nanani Infren | 7,0 |
| 8. | Dominguês | 7,0 |
| 9. | Guima | 6,9 |
| 10. | Ernani | 6,9 |