Exclusive: Hefty cash incentives for Mozambique to win AFCON

Mozambique have never been close to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title-winning narrative. However, if the cash incentives on the table are anything to go by, Chiquinho Conde and his men have every reason to fight and die with their boots on in Morocco.

 

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Nobody said it is going to be a stroll on the park for PSL veterans such as Elias Domingues Pelembe, Edmilson Dove and Manuel Kambala at AFCON.

But looking at how much is at stake financially, the Mambas should punch above their weightand return to Maputo as millionaires.

Pan-Africa Football spoke exclusively to Mozambican Football Federation (FMF) president Feizal Sidat to reveal just how much they have put on the table for the players.

“We discussed with the team and everything is done,” Sidat said.

“They know how much they will get. If they can win AFCON, they will get 1.5 million meticais each. In dollars, it is USD $23,000 for each player in bonuses if they can win AFCON. Only the coach is covered that is in the bonuses, if they can win AFCON.”

The FMF boss further indicated that the bonus will gradually decline if Mozambique achieve lesser targets below winning the title.

“If they can go to the quarterfinals and semifinals, it will be less,” he added.

Ahead of the tournament, each player has also received a handsome allowance. Sidat said: “Also for pocket money, we gave each player around USD $4,000 for the whole tournament only.”

The federation president admitted that they have a mountain to climb. Conde’s team will have to battle in Group F against Gabon, former champions Cameroon and current holders Ivory Coast. The Mambas open against the reigning champions on Wednesday.

Sidat acknowledged the tough challenge ahead for his team:

“All the 24 teams are equal, but we are in a very tough group with Cameroon, Ivory Coast also Gabon, but if we go past the quarterfinals, for us it will be very good. We all know the quality. Apart from Cabo Verde, eight teams that qualified for the World Cup are in Morocco,” he added.

“We are trying our best because today, in football, everything is equal.”

Mozambique have Premier League star Reinildo Mandava of Sunderland and Sporting Club’s Geny Catamo in their squad which is loaded with experienced and talented players drawn from the local league and Europe, especially Portugal. Conde’s men lost 4-1 to Angola in a pre-tournament friendly on Wednesday.