AFCON: Mozambique star Mandava reveals why he retired

Sunderland FC defender Reinildo Mandava has revealed the actual reason behind his retirement from the Mozambique national team soon after exiting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

The 31-year-old shocked the Mozambican football fraternity when he announced his retirement from the Mambas after their 4-0 loss to Nigeria in the AFCON Round-of16 match last week in Morocco. He retired alongside fellow vice-captain Mexer Sitóe and skipper Elias Dominguez Pelembe.

Some quarters in the former Portuguese colony have been trying to persuade the Sunderland man to reverse his decision, arguing that he was not very old to quit.

Mozambique Football Federation vice-president, Paito Mucuana urged Mandava to reconsider his decision.

How injury from Madrid derby took its toll on Mandava

Now, the wingback, writing on his official Facebook page, has revealed the actual reason behind his retirement. Mandava disclosed how an encounter with Real Madrid while on the books of Atletico Madrid FC in February 2023 influenced his decision to call it time on his international career.

Mandava suffered a serious right knee injury during the Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernabéu. He eventually underwent surgery on 26 February 2-23 for a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Since that time, the Mozambican explained that his career has never been the same.

“I experienced intense moments and unfortunately, also the serious injury I suffered against Real Madrid. It was a tough period, but a lot of learning,” the Mozambican said.

The injury cost the defender a possible contract extension at Atletico Madrid before he signed for the Premier League team.

The Sunderland star added: “This decision was thought with the heart. I wanted to say goodbye after the African Championship of Nations…wearing our jersey for the last time, singing the National Anthem with tears of pride, and giving everything until the last minute, as always did,” Mandava said.

The Beira-born star added that it was time to listen to his body which can no longer take the demands of flying long hours to honour national team assignments.

“This injury has changed the way I see football and life a lot. I’ve learnt that the body has limits and time teaches us to choose wisely, since then I’ve been trying my best to divide my commitments between the club and the National Team, but over the years, it has become harder and harder with the serious injury I suffered,” Mandava added.

Managing demands of representing Mozambique

The retired Mambas vice-captain added: “Intercontinental travels, tight flights and time zones, physical and emotional wear and tear—all of this weighs more today than before, and it is out of love and respect for the national team, and not out of fatigue, that I decide to say: it’s time to make room for the younger ones.

Mandava added that he wants to concentrate on his career with Sunderland, a fulfilment of his ambition to play in the Premier League. He is the first Mozambican ever to play in the prestigious league.

“Today, I realized another dream: to play in the English Premier League for Sunderland AFC, the championship I have always admired since childhood,” he added.

Mandava is probably the most successful Mozambican football having launched his professional career at Ferroviario de Beira before he signed for Ferroviario de Maputo.

A chance to play in Europe years ago proved the turning point after he signed for Benfica B and went on to represent AD Fafe, SC Covilhã and Belenenses SAD. Mandava continued to flourish following a transfer to LOSC Lille, where he won the Ligue 1 title and was named best defender. A move to Spanish La Liga followed until last year when he switched to Sunderland.