Chiquinho Conde, coach of the national soccer team, has announced the preliminary squad of players who will represent the country in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. With two exciting matches scheduled for November 2023, Mozambique is eager to compete and try to secure a place on the biggest stage in world soccer.
In the first round of the qualifiers, Mozambique will face Botswana, while the second round pits them against the strong Algeria team. The exact dates for these matches have not yet been set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), but anticipation and preparation are already in full swing.
The preliminary squad is a mix of talented and experienced players, along with promising youngsters eager to make history with the Mozambique jersey. Let's take a look at the main highlights of the list:
Goalkeeper:
- Ernan Siluane (Ernan)
- Fasistêncio Faza (Fazito)
- Victor Guambe (Victor)
- Ivane Urrubal (Ivane)
Defenses:
- Domingos Macandza (Macandza)
- Danilo Muze (Danilo)
- Edmilson Dove (Edmilson)
- Bruno Langa (Bruno)
- Infren Matola (Infren)
- Alberto Lettuce (Fóia)
- Francisco Muchanga (Chico)
- Martinho Thauzene (Martinho)
- Edson Sitóe (Mexer)
- David Malembana (Malembana)
- Fernando Chambuco (Chamboco)
- Feliciano Jone (Nené)
Medium:
- Amade Momade (Amadou)
- John Bonde (John)
- Ricardo Guimarães (Guima)
- Manuel Kambala (Kambala)
- Keyns Abdala (Keyns)
- Ezekiel Machava (Ezakiel)
- Dario Melo (Dario)
- Shaquille Nangy (Shaquille)
- Louis Miquissone (Miquissone)
- Melque Alexandre (Melque)
- Nelson Drivrassone (Nelson)
- Clesio Baúque (Clesio)
- Geny Catamo (Geny)
- Jonathan Muiomo (Jonathan)
- Gianluca Lorenzoni (Gian)
- Elias Pelembe (Sunday)
- Witness Quembo (Witi)
- Gildo Vilanculos (Gildo)
- Stélio Ernesto (Telinho)
Advanced:
- Isaac de Carvalho (Isac)
- Stanley Ratifo (Ratifo)
- Faisal Bangal (Faisal)
- Pachoio King (Lau King)
- Dayo Antonio (Dayo)
- Melven Choi (Ling)
- Stephen Novel (Stephen)
The list features a mix of players who play for local and international clubs, many of whom are well-known internationally. Highlights include Geny Catamo, who currently plays for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, and Luís Miquissone, who impressed with Simba FC in Tanzania.
Mozambique's national team is clearly determined to fight for its place in the 2026 World Cup, and the quality of the players in the pre-selection squad reflects this ambition. Now, the players and coaching staff must prepare tirelessly to face the formidable challenges ahead, hoping to secure a spot in the world's biggest football tournament.
