Nickname: The Mambas
Fifa rank: 102
Afcon Group: F
Head coach: Chiquinho Conde
Group Stage fixtures: Ivory Coast [Dec 24], Gabon [Dec 28], Cameroon [Dec 31]
Afcon appearances: 6 [1968, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2023, 2025]
Best Afcon performance: Group Stages [1968, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2023, 2025]
How they qualified: Mozambique were neat collecting 11 points, six ahead of third-placed Guinea-Bissau in Group I, topped by Mali on 14 points.
Three wins, two draws, and one defeat to the table toppers, scoring nine goals and conceding just five in the process.
Realistic chance at Afcon 2025: Following a good campaign in the tournament qualifiers as well as the 2016 World Cup qualifiers, the Mambas will feel they can achieve the feat of qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time.
Tough group opponents, especially champions Ivory Coast, then Gabon and Cameroon but with the teamwork and style of play they always exhibit, they can’t be written off easily.
Who is the star of the team? The Cosafa nation heads to Morocco with several stars on the team, including Sunderland left back Reinildo Mandava but Stanley Ratifo and Geny Catamo, for me, are the players with the ability to make a difference against any opponent.
If they show up in excellent form as it happened during the qualifiers, then Mozambique won’t be easy to beat.
Angola’s final 28-man squad for AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers:
Neblú, Hugo Marques, Dominique
Defenders:
Rui Modesto, Eddie Afonso, Tô Carneiro, Núrio Fortuna, Pedro Bondo, David Carmo, Buatu, Gaspar, Clinton Mata
Midfielders:
Beni Mukendi, Show, Fredy, Maestro, Kelliano, Mário Balbúrdia
Forwards:
Zito Luvumbo, Manuel Benson, Milson, Chico Banza, Gelson Dala, Randy Nteka, Ary Papel, Mabululu, Mbala Nzola, Zine