Chaos: Mozambique league ends with games remaining

The Mozambican Football League (LMF) has made an unprecedented decision to end its flagship Moçambola league despite that there are remaining matches this 2025 season.

LMF announced that the 14-member Moçambola had ended effective Thursday with two rounds of matches remaining.

LMF cited financial challenges, and that it was pointless continuing with the league when União Desportiva de Songo (UD Songo) sealed the championship with games in hand.

In a statement, LMF further says it made the decision because players’ contracts in the league expired on November 30 2025.

“this decision comes within the context of the financial and administrative difficulties that the Mozambican Football League is facing regarding the payment of air travel expenses for the teams to play the matches,” the league’s statement reads.

“… there were other nuances that contributed to the premature end of the Moçambola, namely the fact that the players’ contracts with their clubs end on November 30, therefore “we do not see room for the continuation of the remaining.”

The 2025 Moçambola was supposed to have 26 rounds, but only 24 were played.

Associação Desportiva de Vilankulo is the only team that honoured all its games.

Notably, Desportivo de Nacala played the least 20 matches followed by 22 for UD Songo, Ferroviário de Lichinga, Baía de Pemba, Chingale de Tete, Ferroviário de Nampula and Desportivo da Matola.

Black Bulls, Ferroviário da Beira, Ferroviário de Maputo, Costa do Sol, Ferroviário de Nacala and Textáfrica de Chimoio fulfilled 23 games.

Overall, there are 19 games still to be played.

LMF’s decision will affect relegation places at the bottom of the league.

As it is, Textáfrica de Chimoio, Desportivo de Nacala and Desportivo da Matola will be relegated.

Mozambique Football Federation intervenes

LMF’s stance has since prompted the intervention of the Mozambican Football Federation (FMF).

In a statement, the federation says the league governing body’s decision is inconsistent with its regulations and those of CAF and FIFA.

“FMF expresses deep concern about the situation created, considering the sporting, institutional, economic and social impacts that the disruption of the main national football competition brings to clubs, athletes, coaches, too many sporting officials and Mozambican football, in general,” the statement reads.

FMF says although the LMF has the mandate to run the league, the federation has the responsibility to enforce rules and regulations.

FMF Executive Board has since called for a report from LMF on the justification of its decision.