Conde 'proud' of Mambas achievement

Chiquinho Conde, coach of Mozambique during 2022 CAF African Nations Championship Match between Mozambique and Libya held at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, Algeria on 17 January 2023 ©Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Jan 18, 2023. 13:17

Mozambique head coach Chiquinho Conde was beaming with pride after seeing his side come from behind to beat Libya 3-2 at the 2022 African Nations Championships (CHAN) on Tuesday.

The Mambas are making just their second appearance at the tournament and remain unbeaten in Group A, having played out to a goalless draw with Ethiopia on Saturday.

The Mediterranean Knights took the lead at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers courtesy of Francisco Muchanga’s 23rd-minute own-goal but Melque Melito Alexandre (78′), Feliciano Joao Jone (80′) and Pachoio Lau Ha King (85′) replied within the space of seven second-half minutes to secure the win.

Anis Saltou managed to reduce the deficit in the third minute of stoppage time, although the Southern Africans held on for what was their first victory in the competition.

“I am very proud of our players. They played a great match and I told them to remember all our preparations before coming here to Algeria. I am glad we won today,” Conde said in the post-match press conference.

“It was a difficult game and we knew that Libya had lost against Algeria and would absolutely want to redeem themselves – a situation that we had difficulty in managing because of our lack of experience and the pressure of the fans. We had to take some time to adapt.

“I told my players that ‘you are going to win this match and you know why? Because you cannot lose it. The players I see now are not the ones that I am used to coaching so show yourself’.”

Mozambique trail Algeria by two points in Group A and will look to claim top spot when they face the hosts in the Algerian capital on Saturday.