UD Songo extended their lead in the Mozambican football championship recently, a competition increasingly hampered by severe logistical and financial challenges.
The club secured a decisive 4-1 victory against Ferroviário de Lichinga on Monday, consolidating their position at the top of the Moçambola league standings.
This win gives the team from Tete province 38 points, widening their gap over second-place Black Bulls. The reigning champions, coached by Portuguese Hélder Duarte, trail with 30 points from two fewer games.
However, the Mozambican football competition has been significantly affected by ongoing issues with air transport and clubs’ financial difficulties in securing flight tickets. These systemic challenges have led to match suspensions and numerous postponements throughout the season.
The 17th matchday, for instance, stretched over a month. It began on September 23 and concluded with recent fixtures.
Other results from the extended 17th round include Chingale de Tete’s 1-1 draw with Baía de Pemba on Sunday. Ferroviário de Nacala secured a 1-0 home victory against Ferroviário da Beira on the same day.
On Saturday, Ferroviário de Nampula claimed a 1-0 win over Textáfrica at home in the north, complicating Textáfrica’s prospects of avoiding relegation.
The round’s first game, on September 23, saw Desportivo da Matola defeat AD Vilankulo 4-3, marking only their second win of the season. A match between Ferroviário de Maputo and Desp. Nacala is scheduled for November 12, while Costa do Sol against Black Bulls has been postponed indefinitely.
The current Moçambola standings reflect the ongoing competition amidst these logistical hurdles.
UD Songo leads with 38 points, though they have played two fewer matches. Black Bulls are second with 30 points from two fewer games.
Ferroviário da Beira sits third with 27 points, followed by Costa do Sol with 26 points and two games in hand. Ferroviário de Lichinga also has 26 points.
Baía de Pemba holds 23 points with one game less played. Ferroviário de Maputo has 22 points (two games less), and Ferroviário de Nacala has 21 points after already playing an 18th-round match.
Rounding out the middle, Ferroviário de Nampula has 20 points, and Chingale de Tete has 19 points with one game less.
At the bottom, AD Vilankulo and Textáfrica both have 16 points. Desportivo de Nacala has 10 points (two games less), and Desportivo da Matola trails with 7 points.