AFCON: Mozambique captain Pelembe, deputies retire after heavy loss to Nigeria

Mozambique national team’s heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of ruthless Nigeria on Monday instantly plunged the Mambas’ camp in a crisis.

After the loss in the Round-of-16 match in Morocco confirmed the early return back home for Chiquinho Conde’s men, something unexpected happened.

Soon after the game, captain Elias Dominguez Pelembe announced his retirement from the national team alongside his deputies Mexer Sitóe and Reinildo Mandava.

According to the Mozambique Football Federation (FMF), the trio, for decades Mozambique’s pillars of mental strength and symbols of dedication, addressed the rest of the players and said their goodbyes in an emotional moment that reduced the early devastated squad into near tears.

Sunderland FC’s left-back spoke first, followed by Sitóe, to deliver the news nobody in Mozambique’s camp expected. So soon after the loss to the Super Eagles.

What Pelembe and company said

“This was my last game and my last campaign. Now it’s time to empower the younger ones. Selection has always been my therapy. My heart will always be here,” said the Ankara Keçiörengücü FC’s centre-back Sitóe.

“With this generation we are going to do beautiful things, believe me.” Me, Reinildo and Dominguez are leaving here, but the national team action continues.. Thank you so much for all these years, for sharing this moment. We love you all and will miss you so much. ”

Recalled to the national team ahead of the AFCON finals, Pelembe followed suit to deliver his farewell in a brief but emotional manner, according to FMF’s statement.

“Visibly emotional, with the voice breaking and tears in his eyes, he summed up an entire life dedicated to the national team in a single expression of gratitude. There was no long speech, no rehearsed sentences, just the heavy silence of those who gave everything for the country, who carried the armband with honor in good and difficult times, and who in that moment let the heart speak.

“His farewell was the purest portrait of love for the homeland: restrained, sincere and deeply human, capable of touching an entire spa and being etched in the memory of a generation,” the statement reads.

With his on-field leaders leaving, Conde was left alone with the difficult task of not only trying to recover from the AFCON exit after such a heavy defeat but also give hope to his squad.

The coach disclosed how he had tried in vain to persuade the three veterans to hang on in the national team.

“It was all a surprise. I have spoken with Reinildo several times, and I have done everything to prevent this from happening. If I am here, it’s because they wanted to. It is a hard blow, it’s like losing a family member,” he is quoted saying.

“Everything I know as a coach, I learned from you. They have always been worthy of representing a nation. To the younger ones, I ask you to hold on to this legacy, because there is still a lot to do. My admiration for you will never fade. ”

FMF vice-president, Paito Mucuana, has since saluted the three veterans for their wonderful service and dedication to the Mambas.

“It is a moment of gratitude. We are sad, but deeply proud of what the Mambas did. The country is proud. They achieved what many generations couldn’t, ” he said while urging Reinildo to reconsider his decision.

During the AFCON game, Victor Osimhen scored twice, with Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams also on target to send Nigeria through to the quarterfinals. And for Mozambique, back home, without their trusted trio.

The Super Eagles will meet either Algeria or DR Congo in the last-eight stage.