Chiquinho Conde has been reappointed as head coach of Mozambique’s national football team, the Mambas, following an agreement with the Mozambican Football Federation (FMF). The announcement was made on Thursday, 29 August 2024, confirming that Conde will remain in charge until January 2026, under a renewed contract with specific performance objectives.
The FMF formalized Conde’s extension after months of negotiations. In a statement, the federation said: “The Mozambican Football Federation (FMF) announces the renewal of the contract of Mr. Francisco Queriol Conde Júnior as coach of the National Football Team AA – Mambas.
The new contractual guarantee, which will be valid until January 31, 2026, reaffirms the mutual commitment between the FMF and Mr. Francisco Júnior to continue developing and strengthening Mozambican football.”
Ambitious Targets Set for the Reappointed Coach
The renewed contract comes with clear objectives: securing Mozambique’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Coach Francisco Júnior will assume the important task of qualifying the national team for two major relay competitions,” the FMF added.
“These objectives reflect the aspirations of our nation to reach the highest peaks of international football.”
Conde’s reappointment is seen as a vote of confidence in his leadership. Despite some recent tensions between Conde and FMF President Feizal Sidat, following comments from the coach during the last international break, the two parties have agreed to move forward with a unified vision for the Mambas.
Past Tensions Give Way to Renewed Confidence
In recent months, relations between Conde and the FMF leadership had been strained, stemming from what the federation described as “an inappropriate intervention” by the coach.
However, these issues appear to have been resolved in light of the new agreement. The FMF emphasized its belief in Conde’s ability to lead the national team, stating: “FMF has full confidence in Mr. Francisco Junior and his technical team, convinced that their hard work, dedication, and experience will be the keys to the success of the Mambas in future competitions.”
The federation also pledged to provide the necessary support for the team to achieve its goals: “We will continue to work tirelessly to provide the best conditions and the necessary support for the national team to achieve its goals and elevate the name of Mozambique on the international football landscape,” the FMF concluded.
Conde’s contract renewal marks a crucial step in Mozambique’s efforts to reach new heights in international football, particularly with the upcoming AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2026 qualifiers on the horizon.
