Luis Gonçalves is approaching the start of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with confidence and determination. As Mozambique prepare to host Rwanda this Thursday in their opening Group F match, the Mambas’ head coach has made it clear that his team’s objective is simple: start with a victory.
Although this is only the first of six qualifying fixtures, Gonçalves believes setting the tone early is crucial. For him, collecting points at home will be key if Mozambique are to have any real chance of reaching the final tournament in Cameroon.
Speaking ahead of the match in comments relayed by the CAF website, the Portuguese coach emphasized the importance of treating every game seriously while keeping the bigger picture in mind.
“We have six important matches, so the match against Rwanda is not the final. We have to win and we are looking forward to seeing it,” he said.
Gonçalves understands that qualifying campaigns are often decided by consistency, particularly in home fixtures. Dropping points on familiar ground can quickly complicate a team’s path, which is why he has urged his players to take full advantage of playing in front of their supporters.
Mozambique will be counting on the energy of the home crowd to push them forward and give them an edge against a competitive Rwandan side. The coach expects commitment and determination from his squad as they aim to build momentum from the very first matchday.
“We expect the players to help us achieve our goals for the upcoming matches. We want to win the home games so we can dream of achieving the main objective at the end,” Gonçalves added.
Drawn in Group F alongside Cameroon, Cape Verde and Rwanda, the Mambas know the competition will be tough. That makes a positive start even more essential. A win on Thursday would not only boost their standings but also strengthen their confidence for the challenges ahead.
With clear ambitions and a focused mindset, Mozambique will be hoping to deliver the performance their coach is counting on and take the first step toward AFCON 2021 qualification.
