According to the newspaper Desafio, two historic Mozambican football clubs, Baía de Pemba and Textáfrica do Chimoio, are competing illegally in the 2024 Moçambola Championship. Both clubs were denied the necessary licenses to participate in the championship after the Club Licensing Commission's Appeals Body rejected their appeals. The decision followed a communication from the First Instance Body (OPI), which had withdrawn their licenses due to non-compliance with established regulations.
Despite the lack of regularization, the Mozambican Football Federation (FMF) has not yet officially banned the two teams from the country's top football competition, as stipulated in the Licensing Regulations. According to the regulations, clubs that fail to meet licensing requirements may be prevented from registering players for the following season if their financial and administrative issues are not resolved in time.
One of the main problems facing Baía de Pemba is the delay in paying its players' salaries. Currently, the players have not been paid for four months, and for the players and coaches who have remained with the club since last season, the debt is even greater, adding up to two more months of outstanding pay. During the week before the match against Costa do Sol, valid for the 19th round of the Moçambola, Baía de Pemba's players faced a critical situation, going more than four days without adequate meals due to lack of pay.
The club's financial crisis has affected the team's performance, which, despite the difficulties, continues to compete in the championship. The FMF's lack of a resolution regarding the situation of Baía de Pemba and Textáfrica raises questions about the application of the rules and fairness among the participating clubs.
With the championship progressing, uncertainty remains regarding the teams' continued participation in the 2024 Moçambola, as players fight not only for points on the field but also for basic working conditions and subsistence. The FMF is expected to make a final decision soon, ensuring compliance with the regulations and fairness for all clubs involved in the competition.
