Mozambique league resumes after €1.3 million air ticket debt impasse

Debt-ridden Mozambique’s top-flight league resumes this weekend after a two-week suspension caused by the league governing body’s failure to secure teams’ air travel costs.

Mozambique’s flag carrier, LAM, suspended air ticket sales to all Mocambola clubs after they owed the airliner 100 million meticais (approximately €1.3 million).

Now, there is light at the end of the tunnel following an announcement which Mozambican Football League (LMF) president Alberto Simango made on Thursday during a press conference.

He confirmed the resumption of the 2025 Mocambola season after securing air ticket sponsorship deals with companies, according to the Club Mozambique website.

“We are making this announcement because we have guarantees that the football League will be able to pay the cost of tickets to LAM [Mozambique Airlines],” Simango told the press in Maputo.

He added the league’s partners might even pay LAM directly leaving the 14 clubs free from this obligation.

He said the new deal follows discussions the league governing body had with partners, the Ministries of Transports and of Sports.

The league was suspended on July 10, 2025, barely after round six of games. Meanwhile, the Mozambican Football Federation president, Feizal Sidat, also addressed the press on Thursday, urging LMF to properly plan its logistics, including air tickets.

“The suspension of Moçambola surprised us…we find it concerning and believe it tarnishes the competition itself. We must treat football games with seriousness. The competition must start and finish,” Sidat is quoted saying.

Ferroviario de Nampula and Chingale de Tete are the joint leaders of the league’s log table. The league’s top players include former Mamelodi Sundowns stars Luis Miquissone and Elias Pelembe, who are both now on the books of UD Songo.