Ernan emerged as Mozambique’s standout performer on Wednesday as the Mambas were beaten by Ivory Coast in their opening Group F fixture at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The result left Mozambique empty-handed, but the contest was shaped by the heroics of their number one, who resisted wave after wave of Ivorian pressure.
From the opening exchanges, Ivory Coast imposed themselves, circulating the ball quickly and forcing the Mambas deep inside their own half. In those circumstances, Ernan became the central figure in Mozambique’s survival act.
Across the 90 minutes, he was repeatedly called upon to bail out a defence that struggled to contain the African champions.
He produced three decisive saves, each one arriving at moments when the match threatened to drift irreversibly away from his side.
Those interventions did more than keep the scoreline respectable; they allowed Mozambique to remain in the contest long after the balance of play had tilted against them.
Two of the stops were made from close range inside his own penalty area, where Ivory Coast found pockets of space and tested him from dangerous positions.
On both occasions, Ernan reacted sharply, spreading himself to deny the attackers and draw frustrated looks from the Ivorian bench.
He also prevailed in two one-on-one situations, winning a duel on the ground and another in the air, further underlining the command of his box.
The goalkeeper’s influence was not confined to shot-stopping.
Under constant pressure, he worked tirelessly to relieve the strain on his back line, registering four defensive interventions that helped Mozambique clear their lines and regroup.
His positioning was consistently sound, allowing him to narrow angles and offer reassurance to defenders who were frequently pinned back.
In a match dominated by Ivory Coast’s attacking ambition, Ernan stood as Mozambique’s most reliable figure.
The Mambas were often hemmed in, struggling to retain possession or push forward in meaningful numbers, yet their goalkeeper’s calm presence ensured the scoreline did not spiral beyond control.
At the final whistle, his contribution was recognised with a rating of 8.5, the highest awarded in the game, confirming his status as man of the match despite the defeat.
It was a reflection of a performance built on composure and concentration rather than headline moments alone.
For Mozambique, the outcome was a sobering start to their Group F campaign, but the display of their goalkeeper offered a measure of encouragement.
In a tournament where confidence can be fragile after an opening loss, the knowledge that they possess a last line of defence capable of standing up to elite opposition may yet prove valuable.
As the Mambas look ahead to their remaining fixtures, Ernan’s showing against Ivory Coast will be remembered as evidence that, even in adversity, individual quality can still shine through.
