Conde Chiquinho: "Beating Ethiopia is the key to qualifying for the second round"

Head coach of Mozambique Conde Chiquinho believes a victory in their opening clash against Ethiopia on Saturday will be key in their ambitions of making it past the group stages of this year’s TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Mozambique have been drawn in group A where they are joined by hosts, Algeria, Libya as well as Ethiopia whom they open their CHAN campaign against.

Speaking from the newly built Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers just a day before their opening clash against the east Africans, Chikenyo said the Mambas have prepared well since arriving in Algeria and will want to do well in their opening tie.

“We are very happy to be in Algeria. We prepared well for the Ethiopia match and the rest of the competition. Our ambition in this tournament is to go past the first round and that involves us getting a victory over Ethiopia in our first match” said Chikenyo.

“We will go through our journey match by match, and each one has its own dynamics. The first fixture is of great importance and we are really focused on it”.

The Mambas mentor also emphasised that he does not want to put his players under pressure for this tournament but encouraged them to give it their all.

“We may not be regarded as the favourites and that is okay with us. We are in the same group as the hosts, Algeria who will be looking to do well in the competition. Ours is to focus on our strengths and by so doing, qualify for the second round of this tournament for the first time” said Chikenyo.

Echoing the coaches sentiments was the team captain, Ernesto Stelio, who said they come into the tournament with the ambition of honouring and making the people of Mozambique proud.

“We prepared well in order to honour our country in this important tournament. The opening match is very important and we have our focus on it. For us to make it past the group stages, it is important that we do well in the opening fixture and set the tone for a good tournament.

Making it out of the group stages will be quite historic for Mozambique and this requires us to thoroughly prepare and give it our all on the field” said the skipper.

Kick off for the Ethiopia and Mozambique match will be 1300 GMT at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.