World Cup Qualifying: Mozambique coach Conde- ‘Uganda improved after CHAN’

Mozambique national team coach Chiquinho Conde has explained why he expects a changed Uganda on Friday in their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The Mambas trainer said a lot has changed for the Cranes since they co-hosted the African Nations Championship (CHAN) last month.

The Cranes co-hosted the continental tournament for home-based players in East Africa alongside Tanzania and Kenya. All the three teams, rallied on by home backing, started CHAN strongly. They all, however, bowed out at the quarterfinal stage of the competition.

Despite not winning silverware, Conde insists the Cranes have benefitted from their participation in the CHAN finals. Therefore, aware of the test that Uganda could pose to Mozambique in the Group G match, the coach has enlisted the help of video analysts to observe aspects the hosts have improved after CHAN.

“The video analyst formatted the opponent’s defensive and offensive aspects so the players can observe Uganda’s strengths and weaknesses,” Conde told Mozambican Football Federation media. “They have improved since participating in the CHAN, and we won’t expect an easy match against a team that isn’t technically strong but is physically developed.”

Mozambique, who beat Uganda 3-1 in the first leg of the World Cup qualifiers, left for Kampala on Tuesday for the qualifier. The Mambas will then host Botswana on September 8.

Mozambique are in second place, three points behind leaders Algeria in the group while Uganda are in fourth place with nine points in the group. The Mozambicans also beat Botswana 3-2 in the first leg.

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