At 40 years old, Elias Gaspar Pelembe, known as Domingues, remains undeterred after his participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
The seasoned Mozambique captain dismissed notions of retirement, expressing confidence in his ability to continue representing the national team.
The Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits forward featured in all three matches Mozambique played at the AFCON, taking his international caps tally to 101 since June 2004.
Returning to Maputo after their exit from the AFCON, Domingues affirmed;
“I still have the legs to represent the team of all of us,” and declared his intent to partake in AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
Reflecting on their AFCON 2023 campaign, Domingues commended the team’s effort, emphasizing the need for more regular appearances in future championships.
Despite not meeting anticipated results, he highlighted the positive aspects of their performance and the team’s potential for future success.
Having participated in AFCON in 2010 in Angola, Domingues acknowledged the challenges of facing formidable opponents but praised the team’s resilience.
Several Mambas players made their African Championships debut, earning high praise from Domingues, who expressed belief in the team’s ability to qualify for more CAN tournaments.
Domingues’s dedication and belief in the team’s potential shine through as he looks ahead to new challenges on the international stage.
