Chiquinho Conde and the Mambas: A football revolution in motion

Since taking charge of Mozambique’s national football team, Chiquinho Conde has become the driving force behind the Mambas’ remarkable resurgence. His blend of experience, tactical insight, and strong leadership has reignited hope in Mozambican football.

Under Conde’s stewardship, Mozambique has achieved a new level of consistency and belief — highlighted by their qualification for two successive TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cu of Nations finals.

The Mambas featured in the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 finals where they put up a good show against some of the best African nations, including 2-2 draw with record holders, Egypt and Ghana respectively.

In this exclusive interview, Chiquinho Conde shares his vision, strategies, and the challenges he faces as he leads Mozambique into a new era of ambition and pride.

CAFOnline.com : Mozambique returns to the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON with renewed ambition. What is the mindset within the team ahead of the tournament?

Chiquinho Conde: Yes, we return to this great African competition renewed, after a very positive campaign. We were in a very tough group with top teams like Egypt, Ghana, and Cape Verde. Although we achieved our best-ever AFCON performance, there was a bittersweet feeling of not advancing to the next round. Now we face another very competitive group with Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon. It won’t be easy, but we have experienced players competing in major European clubs and the Champions League, which bring a different level of quality to our squad. Our goal is clear: to progress to the next stage and keep improving.

Balancing attack and defence is always a challenge. How do you plan to reconcile Mozambique’s traditional attacking flair with the defensive solidity required at this level?

That balance is indeed a major challenge. We have limited time to work with the squad, but fortunately, I’ve been with this group for about four years. During this period, we’ve developed a playing model suited to our players’ characteristics, always adapting and evolving. Football is dynamic, and achieving a balance between attack and defence is something every team strives for. We have a clear principle: scoring goals wins games, but defending well wins championships. We’ll use our training camp to fine-tune technical and tactical aspects, improve ball possession, control matches, and enhance our pragmatic approach. We know that at times we’ll need to stay humble, defend deep, and counterattack, but we’ll also be ambitious and press high when needed. It’s an ongoing process, but we’re confident.

Qualification was hard-fought. What qualities helped the Mambas secure their place?

Qualification came through sacrifice, effort, dedication, and commitment. This is a group that has been together for several years, and that creates strong collective unity. We’ve adjusted our playing model whenever needed, faced challenges and tough moments, but never lost focus on the main goal: qualification. It wasn’t perfect, but through hard work and togetherness, we achieved our mission.

There’s always room for new talents. Which young or lesser-known players do you expect to emerge as key contributors in this AFCON?

Renewal is a constant process, and several young players with great potential are emerging. Recently, at the COSAFA U-23 tournament, we had the chance to observe many talents in a competitive environment. These kinds of tournaments are crucial for preparing young players for the senior team. Many of them are taking their first steps in European clubs, even in lower divisions, and it’s important to respect their development process. With time and maturity, they can become key players for the national team.

Tactical adaptation is crucial. How do you prepare your players to adjust to the different styles of play they’ll encounter in the group stage?

We’ve built a consistent playing model that has been the foundation of our success. However, we always adapt our tactical systems to the players available and the specific challenges of each opponent. We’re working on different formations, such as the 3-4-3 and the diamond-shaped 4-4-2, to be more flexible. The most important thing is for the players to feel comfortable on the pitch and to interpret tactical dynamics naturally. Football is dynamic, and our approach reflects that principle.

Past experiences matter too. What lessons have you learned from Mozambique’s previous AFCON appearances that you’d like to apply this time?

Every match and competition is a learning opportunity. In both the AFCON and CHAN, we’ve learned valuable lessons about handling pressure and paying attention to the small details that make a difference. Experience comes from competition, not just training. Every game we play increases our knowledge and our ability to perform better next time.

Defining success — what would a successful tournament mean for the Mambas in your view?

CC: For me, success means achieving our goals. In football, we always have to aim higher. A successful tournament would be one where we meet our objectives, whether by progressing to the next round or by raising the team’s overall performance level.

Long-term impact — how do you think this participation could influence the future of Mozambican football?

CC: The impact is already visible. Our qualification has reignited hope among the Mozambican people, who had lost faith. Now, young players are more motivated to represent the national team, and our players gain visibility to pursue better opportunities abroad. This cycle of motivation, opportunity, and technical development can transform our football in the years to come.