Mozambique head coach Chiquinho Conde has named a 25-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Algeria, with the selection headlined by the first-ever call-up of striker Kélvio Neves.
The Mambas will host Uganda at Cairo International Stadium on March 20 before traveling to Algeria to face the North African giants in Tizi Ouzou on March 25.
With Mozambique still in contention in Group G, these two fixtures will be pivotal in determining their World Cup qualification hopes.
Conde has opted for a mix of experienced internationals and promising young talent, with 12 players based in Mozambique and 13 plying their trade abroad, including in Europe and the Gulf region.
Among the key returnees are goalkeeper Kimiss Zavala and defenders Edmilson Dove and Francisco “Chico” Muchanga, both of whom have regained the confidence of the technical staff.
Neves Earns First Call-Up
The standout inclusion is Neves, who plays for Associação Black Bulls in the domestic league. The young forward has impressed at club level and will be eager to make his mark at international level.
His selection adds to an attack that includes Sporting CP winger Geny Catamo and Saudi-based striker Gildo Vilanculos.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid full-back Reinildo Mandava will once again provide leadership and stability at the back, alongside experienced defender Domingos Macandza “Mexer”.
Midfielder Elias Pelembe, one of the country’s most capped players, also features in the squad.
Preparation and Travel Plans
Mozambique’s locally based players and technical staff will depart from Maputo on March 16, with the foreign-based players set to join the squad in Egypt ahead of the first match against Uganda.
The team will then travel to Algeria for their second qualifier, where they will face a tough test against a side boasting significant World Cup pedigree.
Mozambique’s Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Ernan Siluane (Associação Black Bulls), Ivane Urrubal (União Desportiva de Songo), Kimiss Zavala (Marítimo, Portugal)
Defenders: Infren Matola (União Desportiva de Songo), Domingos Macandza “Mexer” (Associação Black Bulls), Reinildo Mandava (Atlético Madrid, Spain), Edmilson Dove (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Feliciano Jone “Nené” (Associação Black Bulls), Fernando Chambuco “Chamboco” (Associação Black Bulls), Francisco Muchanga “Chico” (Costa do Sol), Bruno Langa (UD Almería, Spain)
Midfielders: Alfonso Amade (Septemvri Sofia, Bulgaria), Ricardo Guimarães “Guima” (Zira FK, Azerbaijan), Amade Momade “Amadou” (Tanzania Prisons, Tanzania), Shaquille Nangy (Sacred Hope, Angola), Pedro Santos “Pepo” (Caldas SC, Portugal), Elias Pelembe “Domingues” (União Desportiva de Songo), João Bonde (Ferroviário da Beira)
Forwards: Kélvio Neves (Associação Black Bulls), Stanley Ratifo (Chemie Leipzig, Germany), Clésio Bauque (Associação Black Bulls), Geny Catamo (Sporting CP, Portugal), Gildo Vilanculos (Jerash FC, Saudi Arabia), Witiness Quembo “Witi” (Al Orooba, United Arab Emirates), Elias Macamo (Maputo Railway)
