CAF Beach Soccer AFCON Senegal 2026: The Mambas return to familiar ground
Mozambique finished second in their first CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations appearance in 2021, having lost to eventual champions and then hosts Senegal in the final. They have finished fourth and sixth since then and are making their fourth consecutive appearance in Senegal 2026.
Mozambique Team Profile
- Appearances: 4th edition
- Last appearance: 2024
- Best performance: runners-up in 2021
- Coach: Saidate Abudo Moveia
- Captain: Nelson Joao Manuel
How the team qualified
Mozambique secured qualification for the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Senegal 2026 after defeating Tanzania 4-2 on aggregate in the 2nd round of qualifiers. After an away 1-1 draw, the Mambas won at home 3-1 to reach their fourth finals.
The Coach: Saidate Abudi Moveia
Moveia is a prominent figure of African Beach Soccer, having led Mozambique in previous tournament like CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations and the COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship.
He is also highly involved in youth development and safeguarding programs within the Mozambican Football Federation.
Key Player: Nelson Joao Manuel
Manuel has been a prominent figure of Mozambican beach soccer through the years. Despite being a defender originally, he scores a lot of goals and was an influential part of “The Mambas” side that took place in the last three CAF Beach Soccer AFCON editions.
Mozambique at the CAF Beach Soccer AFCON
Mozambique reached the final in their debut in 2021 to finish runners up after losing to hosts Senegal. They finished in fourth place when they hosted the tournament in 2022, and sixth two years later in Egypt.