Mozambican national football has undergone a significant transformation, moving from a perennial underdog to a competitive force that has instilled renewed national hope, according to coach Chiquinho Conde.
Conde characterized the recent 2026 World Cup qualification campaign as a “success” despite his team’s failure to advance. He highlighted a new era where Mozambique no longer merely “distributed points” but actively vied for qualification.
“It was fantastic to see my players enjoying the moment, making a people dream of a prominent position in what is the competition for the World Cup,” Conde told Lusa in an interview. This statement came less than a month after the team’s qualification hopes ended.
Mozambique finished the qualification phase with a record number of points in Group G. They were level on points with second-placed Uganda, which secured a playoff berth, while Algeria qualified directly in first place. Mozambique finished third in the group.
The Mambas’ World Cup aspirations concluded on October 9 in Maputo, when they lost 2-1 to Guinea-Conakry in their penultimate group match. A victory that day would have secured a playoff spot for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Conde affirmed the team “fought until the end,” demonstrating growth and competitive maturity. He noted the squad maintained tactical discipline and focus despite limitations in player recruitment and short preparation times.
“In the past, we just distributed points. This is also a sign of growth,” he stated. “We have to be realistic and understand that things are done gradually. We will learn from mistakes and grow from what went wrong.”
The coach emphasized leveraging the experience of Mozambican players in Portugal. He singled out Geny Catamo, Sporting’s two-time Mozambican champion, as the national team’s “darling” and a source of national pride.
This strategy extends to players in lower divisions or B and Under-23 teams, such as MarÃtimo goalkeeper Kimiss. Conde explained he is integrating such players into the senior squad to gain crucial experience.
Conde, who turns 60 this month, is a former Mozambican international himself. He is the only player to have represented the country in three African Cup of Nations (CAN) tournaments, in 1986, 1996, and 1998.
He is also remembered for his playing career with prominent Portuguese clubs, including Belenenses, Sporting de Braga, Sporting, and Vitória de Setúbal.