Mozambique league clubs ordered to establish women’s teams

The Mozambican Football Federation (FMF) has made a strategic decision regarding elite women’s football in the former Portuguese colony this 2026-2027 season.

The Federation has announced a new structure for the national women’s league, playing format and also directed all elite Moçambola league men’s teams to establish women’s clubs effective immediately.

Day 2 of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers

The home team Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are in action today against Olympic De Moroni of Comoros at 15:30. Before that it’s Costa do Sol (Mozambique)
Vs Young Buffaloes (Eswatin) kickoff is at 12:00 at the Sugar Ray… pic.twitter.com/j7sP9i1XdR

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) August 31, 2023

“…all clubs that participate in Moçambola must mandatorily have women’s teams competing in the Zonal Championships, reinforcing the FMF’s strategy for the promotion and development of women’s football in the country,” reads FMF’s statement.

How Mozambique will ease financial burden of women’s football

To ease financial burden on club owners, the federation has committed to meeting most of the costs of the women’s teams’ participation in the national league.

“As for the logistics, FMF will meet venue and transport costs for the teams, both in the zonal phase and in the final phase, while the clubs will be responsible for accommodation and food expenses,” reads the statement.

The football governing body further announced that the women’s league for the 2026-2027 season will be played from the Northern, Central and the Southern regions.

The league will kick off on May 1, 2026 with 27 teams competing from the regional level in the three streams.

“The competition will be played in three regional zones—North, Centre and South, with the participation of nine teams per zone, who will play in the all-against-all system in a single round, with each formation playing four home games and four away,” reads part of FMF statement.

Interested clubs must formally confirm their participation in the league with FMF by March 31, 2026.

“With this competition, the FMF reinforces its commitment to the structured growth of football in Mozambique, promoting greater competitiveness and opportunities for athletes throughout the national territory,” reads the statement.

Playing format of Mozambican women’s league

The regional phase will be followed by the national stage to determine the ultimate champion. The overall league champion will represent Mozambique in the CAF Women’s Champions League: COSAFA Qualifiers. Costa do Sol were Mozambique’s ambassadors in the regional championship held in South Africa last year.

“In the phase final of the competition, top two teams from each zone will qualify for the final phase alongside two best-third-placed teams. In total, eight teams will compete in the decisive phase of the competition, later to be divided into two groups,” adds the statement.

The federation has since stressed the need for the matches to be played in certified grass pitches to elevate women’s football status.

FMF has since urged teams interested in participating in the league to comply with Club Licencing regulations, including ensuring that coaches and players are duly registered in the FIFA Connect System.

Teams that have already qualified for the league include Baía de Pemba, Ferroviário de Nampula, Ferroviário da Beira, Textáfrica do Chimoio, Costa do Sol, Associação Black Bulls, Ferroviário de Maputo and Maxaquene.