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All or nothing!

2:46 CAT | 16 Nov 2018

Photo: O País

Mozambique’s national soccer team plays a decisive fifth round group K qualifying match for Afcon 2019 in Cameroon this Sunday against Zambia. Only victory lies ahead for the Mambas!

Yes! It’s all or nothing for the Mambas! Nothing else matters in Sunday’s game but victory. A victory that would be just one a giant step, because then there would come another step in Bissau, facing Guinea, next March. But now we all have to think about this first step. And the “victim” is Zambia.

A Zambia we beat with pride on the opening day, over a year ago, with a goal scored in the final minutes by Ratifo, the pass from Telinho. This time Ratifo (who is sick) won’t be there, but there are others: Reginaldo, who is one of the best scorers in the Albania championship; Witi, who has been a key player for Madeira, a Portuguese club; Telinho, who was the top scorer in Moçambola; Maninho; Luís Miquissone; and Domingues, from whom so much is expected – namely, to make a difference and help the Mambas to reach the three points.

In the last three Mambas matches – against Guinea-Bissau (tie 2-2) and Namibia (defeats at home 1-2 and abroad 1-0) – defensive errors were fatal, especially at home, against goals from the Djurtus and with Braves Warriors, in the final minutes and extra time respectively.

With Zambia as dangerous as it is fragile – or else it wouldn’t be placed in the last position it occupies at this point – it is necessary to maintain concentration, not only in defence, but also in attack; to know how to take advantage of their mistakes and not allow them to take advantage of ours.

Statistics are against us… let’s prove them wrong Mozambique!

The importance of this game has several aspects. In addition to being a game in which victory opens the door to CAN-2019, Mozambicans need the joy of beating Zambia at home. After all, it never happened before in official games and would be the “icing on the cake” at a time when the country has many social and financial problems.

But we must also look for ways to balance the statistics. Up to now, Mozambique had won only one game, lost eight and drawn two out of a total of 11 matches. The Mambas scored only four goals and conceded 21. In fact, only a draw with the Chipolopolo, have they scored two goals, in a match played at home.

Hence the importance of winning. All the more so when players walking onto the field already knowing the outcome of the other game, between Namibia and Guinea Bissau, which will take place tomorrow at San Nunjoma Stadium.

The referee-ing team comes from Botswana, whose president recently visited our country, and is led by Joshua Bondo, aided by Souru Phatsoane and Oamogetse Godisamang. Tickets available at prices of 200 and 300 meticais for open sun stands and surplus seats.

By Elísio Uamusse

Source: O País