AFCON: “Mozambique has picked valuable lessons despite exit” – Reinildo Mandava

Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava said that the Mambas have learnt valuable lessons from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite their exit from the competition.

 

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The Sunderland left-back played a key role in Mozambique’s first ever AFCON victory, a 3-2 win over Gabon in the second Group F game.

The historic victory led to their maiden qualification for the Round of 16 as one of the best third placed teams under coach Chiquinho Conde.

The Mambas opened their AFCON campaign with a slim 0-1 loss against defending champions Ivory Coast before a 3-2 win over Gabon in the second fixture.

The final game of the group ended in a painful 2-1 defeat against five time African champions Cameroon but the Southern African nation progressed to the knockout phase.

Mozambique’s dream of going a step further was however dashed following a 4-0 loss to Nigeria on Monday evening, but the team are departing the tournament with their chests high.

Reinildo Mandava said: “We always have something to learn, we are proud of the group, we are proud of the staff because we made history for our country.”

“First win ever and we got to the next stage so we are happy [and] next time we will work more, we will give a little more to get to another level.”

Prior to reaching the Round of 16 in Morocco, Mozambique had never progressed beyond the group phase, going out in the group stage at the 2023 edition hosted by Ivory Coast.