Mozambique – The country, the football
The Republic of Mozambique, officially known as Mozambique, is a country situated in the southeastern part of Africa. Its neighboring countries are Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa.
Delimited by the Indian Ocean, Mozambique has an estimated population of 22,894,000 people, and a total size of about 801,590 km2.
The former Portuguese colony gain its independence in 1975, but it has had a miserable history over the years, as it was then stroked by a civil war which began in 1977, and ended in 1992.
Certainly, their hard times have been among the major reasons why Mozambique have never featured in a FIFA World Cup tournament. In any case, it also seems their struggles have had an impact on their performance on the African level, as Mozambique have tasted a participation in the Africa Cup of Nations only 3 times in their history, excluding their qualification for the 27th edition of the competition which will be held in Angola.
Their national football team, known by the name of The Mamba, is now seeking to bounce back from their poor form, and clarify their name in Africa’s football history. Yet, they are aware of how much they will need to sacrifice, should they achieve their goal at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mozambique – The road to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations
Mozambique joined the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations from its Second Round, and even before the draw prior to this stage took place, The Mamba were inserted in Pot B.
Group 7 was then where they landed along with the Ivory Coast, Madagascar, and Botswana.
bviously, the Ivory Coast finished in first position, but not with a too great goal margin though, as Mozambique grabbed the second spot with 8 points – either 4 points behind the leaders.
Happily, The Mamba were considered as eligible to advance into the Third Round, despite being the team with the lowest statistics to qualify among the Second Round’s Best 8 teams.
Having only been capable of occupying the 100th place in the FIFA World Rankings in October 2008, Mozambique were placed in Pot 4 ahead of the final draw for the qualification of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola.
There, they found out to be in Group B with Nigeria, Tunisia, and Kenya.
Unfortunately, things didn’t seem to go so well for The Mamba at that moment, and following 3 losses and only 2 wins in 6 games played, Mozambique were only able to survive by stealing the third place of their table; which was then the last 2010 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying spot of their group.
Mozambique – 2010 Africa Cup of Nations group stage
On another occasion, The Mamba failed to get a positive place in the pots before the draw for the tournament’s finals.
Being in Pot 4, Mozambique had much to worry about; in the end, they were drawn in Group C alongside Africa Cup of Nations title holders Egypt, giants Nigeria, and lowly side Benin.
In reality, it is the fact that two of Africa’s strongest teams fell in their group which seems to makes the road in the group stage of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tougher for The Mamba.
Unsurprisingly, the Mozambicans could have one of their worst nightmares in the tournament; but maybe, lack of power from the Group C’s big guys might give The Mamba a sweet opportunity to turn their expected nightmares into memorable triumphs.
Match-day One:
Mozambique will host Benin in a late kick-off at 18:30 GMT, in Benguela. This fixture should normally be The Mamba’s easiest match of their group stage run, as the Benin national team also seems to have struggles on its side when it comes to getting success in Africa’s most popular football tournament.
Mozambique should therefore aim for the best ahead of this clash, as it could place them on top of their table, depending on the score line of the game between Egypt and Nigeria which takes place earlier on.
Match-day Two:
Mozambique will then have to play again on January 16, when they face African champions Egypt, in a game also kicking-off at 18:30 GMT.
Being the defending champions of this tournament, Egypt will definitely look to overpower and crush the Mozambicans’ so-called “weak” army. Surely – based on the recent display and results obtained by The Mamba – Mozambique have almost no chance of winning this encounter.
Eventually, it would be entertaining to watch the Mozambicans attempting to cause Egypt’s Pharaohs an upset.
Match-day Three:
At last, Nigeria will host Mozambique in their group’s final match-day at 16:00 GMT, on January 20; and without any doubts, the clear favorites of this game are Nigeria’s Green Eagles.
It is however true that Nigeria have had a few stability problems recently with their national team, but still, by analyses, this should not be a reason for Nigeria to be humbled by The Mamba.
Great tactics and techniques, as well as efficiency and fierceness will therefore be required by Mozambique, should they beat the Nigerians in their quest for a place in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations’ quarterfinals.
Mozambique – Quick Analysis: Expectations from the country and its stars
Unhappily, the Mozambicans cannot boast of possessing big stars who could support the national football team in terms of authority over other countries. This could indeed be regarded as a big problem though, but the most important thing would be to get good organizations and formations – which would therefore confuse their opponents – and hence increase The Mamba’s estimation in Africa.
This is perhaps something Mart Nooij would have to handle, being the Mozambique manager. In actual fact, if anything negative was to happen to The Mamba during the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, he would be the main man to be held responsible.
Mozambique – 2010 Africa Cup of Nations squad
Coach Mart Nooij made his 23-man squad list for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. LiveSoccerTV.com share it all with you:
Goalkeepers:
A. Cossa; J. Kapango; O. Lama
Defenders:
Mexer; C. Chapanga; Zainadine Junior; D. Khan; F. Massinga; Fanuel; Simao; Paito
Midfielders:
Genito; Nelinho; M. Hagi; A. Lobo; Josemar; Danito; E. Pelembe
Attackers:
Tico-Tico; Fumo; D. Monteiro; H. Pelembe; L. Sousa
Mozambique – Africa Cup of Nations record
Mozambique have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations 4 times in all their history, but nonetheless, never have they managed to enjoy a positive run in the tournament. Let’s take the time to take a look at the statistics concerning the Mozambique national football team and the Africa Cup of Nations:
2010: Qualified as participants
1998, 1996, 1986: Round 1
Follow LiveSoccerTV.com throughout the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations as the site covers Mozambique and the entire tournament!
