The “Mambas,” the Mozambican national team, secured an exemption from the first qualifying round for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CHAN), a tournament exclusively for players who play in their countries' domestic leagues. This exemption was granted thanks to the Mambas' good ranking in the Confederation of African Football (CAF), reflecting the progress and competitiveness of the Mozambican team on the continental stage.
With this advantage, Mozambique will only enter the competition in the second round of qualifying, thus avoiding the initial challenges of the knockout phase. The draw for the qualifiers is scheduled for next Wednesday, October 9th, in Cairo, Egypt, where the Mambas will find out their opponent and the path they will need to take towards the final phase of the CHAN.
In this edition, nine of the 14 federations from Southern Africa have confirmed their participation in the qualifying phase, promising a fierce competition between the region's national teams. Mozambique, in turn, seeks to consolidate its presence on the African football scene, after having demonstrated steady growth in recent years.
The 2024 CHAN will be an excellent opportunity for Mozambican players who play locally, providing a showcase for their talent in continental football. The exemption in the first qualifying round reflects the recognition of the work that has been done in Mozambican football and increases expectations for the Mambas' participation in the competition.
