Elias Gaspar Pelembe, known to fans as “Domingues” or “Puto Maravilha,” celebrates his 41st birthday today, November 13th. The experienced Mozambican midfielder, born in Maputo in 1983, continues to inspire and lead Mozambican football, showing in every game that he still has much to offer on the pitch. Currently, Pelembe plays for União Desportiva do Songo, where he is a key player and captain, and will represent the country in the 2025 CAF Cup.
Despite his age, Pelembe demonstrated during the 2024 Moçambola that he remains a standout player, contributing significantly to União Desportiva do Songo's second-place finish. Although the championship title eluded him, his team secured a spot in the continental competition, and Domingues, as captain and key player in the squad, is one of the greatest hopes for taking Mozambican football further.
𝐔𝐦𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐚 𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨 𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞̂𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚
Elias Pelembe's career is marked by dedication and skill, making him one of the greatest names in Mozambican football. Pelembe began his career in the youth ranks of Estrela Vermelha and Desportivo de Maputo, where he turned professional in 2004. His talent quickly caught the eye, and in 2007 he signed with SuperSport United in South Africa. From then on, his career was cemented in South African football, where he represented Mamelodi Sundowns from 2009 to 2015 and Bidvest Wits from 2015 to 2023, earning prestige and becoming a respected name in the neighboring country.
𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞̂𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚 𝐧𝐨𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬 𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚́𝐫𝐢𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥
Domingues also has a solid legacy with the Mozambican national team, the Mambas. Since his debut in 2004, he has played in major competitions, including the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. Throughout his time with the national team, Pelembe played 39 matches and scored eight goals until 2012, standing out for his skill, leadership, and passion for the sport, which still motivate young Mozambican players today.
𝐎 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞 𝐞 𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐜̧𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨
At 41, Elias Pelembe is an example of resilience and commitment to sport. With his participation in the 2025 CAF Cup guaranteed, he shows that age is no obstacle to his career, inspiring generations of fans and athletes. His continued presence in Mozambican football enriches the sport in the country, strengthening team spirit and the national sports culture.
