Former Mozambique assistant coach João Pereira expresses pride over Reinildo Mandava’s rise

Former Mozambique assistant coach João Pereira says he feels a deep sense of pride watching Reinildo Mandava flourish at Sunderland, describing the defender’s journey as a powerful symbol of African perseverance and ambition.

Reinildo, a key figure in Mozambique’s national team, joined Sunderland in the summer from Atlético Madrid and has quickly established himself as a first-choice wing-back for one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season. For Pereira, the success is no accident. Speaking to ChronicleLive, he recalled first working with Reinildo during his time on Mozambique’s technical staff, when the defender was already making waves in Europe with Lille.

“He was playing at a big club in France and had a lot of potential,” Pereira said. “But what stood out most was his personality. He is very humble, always wanting to learn, every single day.” Pereira believes those qualities laid the foundation for Reinildo’s four-year spell at Atlético Madrid, where he competed at the highest level in Spain and Europe.

The move to England, Pereira says, reflects both courage and confidence. “I think he wanted to prove a point and play in the Premier League, the number one league in the world,” he explained. “For African players, it is not just about football. It is about showing that we belong on the biggest stage.” Pereira added that Reinildo’s success is inspiring not only for Mozambican footballers, but for African players and coaches everywhere, as one of their own continues to thrive at a major club and carry the continent’s pride with him.