AFCON: VAR spares Egypt’s blushes in draw with Mozambique
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Legendary Mozambique forward Chiquinho Conde talks to FIFA about his new challenge as head coach of his country’s national team.
Chiquinho Conde is unquestionably a pioneer. The 58-year-old was one his country’s greatest players and is, by his reckoning, the first Mozambican to play professionally abroad in the post-independence era.
Conde is now in charge of the Mozambique national team, who are one of four teams sat on three points from two matches in their CAF qualifying section for the FIFA World Cup 26™.
Yet his journey to being head coach of Os Mambas began long ago. As a young boy, Conde grew up playing his football in the local leagues in Mozambique while studying construction. Belmiro Manaca, Mozambique’s coach at the time, noticed the player’s undeniable talent but encouraged him to first finish his studies, promising him a call-up if he managed to pass his course.
Conde did just that and received his first call-up for the biggest of occasions: The 1986 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, a massive opportunity for the youngster.
“After my exams, I immediately informed him that I’d passed my course. He then gave me the magnificent gift of a national team call-up for what was the first AFCON in Mozambique’s history,” Conde told FIFA.
That was only the beginning of a magical ride for Conde, who was born the youngest of seven boys. Not only did he make his long-awaited international debut, but he had the rare opportunity to play for his country’s senior team alongside two of his brothers: Geraldo, the third youngest — with whom he formed an attacking partnership — and the second youngest, Elcidio, a defender.
“It was remarkable and fantastic. We created history by having three brothers play at the same time,” recalled Conde.
The exposure gained at that AFCON earned Conde a move to Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, to join Maxaquene. While playing there, he was spotted by Portuguese giants Sporting CP and Benfica, each of whom happened to be in Maputo for a tournament.
Benfica wanted to sign him right away but were unable to do so, as the recently independent Mozambique still had no legislation in place for the international transfer of professional players.
However, a year later, everything changed when Joaquim Chissano – who as a boy had played football with the legendary Eusebio – became the country’s president.
By the time another Portuguese club, Belenenses, travelled to Maputo in 1987 to face Maxaquene, regulations were in place that enabled Mozambican players to be transferred abroad. Even though the home side lost 3-1, Conde still managed to score and catch the visitors’ eye. Hearing of Belenenses’ intention to sign the striker, Benfica renewed their interest in securing his services.
“When I arrived at the Lisbon airport, I still didn’t know if I was headed for Benfica or Belenenses. Delegations from both clubs travelled on the same plane with our entourage to continue the negotiations, culminating in my signing for Belenenses in 1987,” said Conde.
It was a landmark moment for football in the southern African country. Though torn at the time between the two clubs, in the end, his destination would be Belenenses, whose colours he proudly wore until 1991.
During that spell, he helped the capital club win the 1988-89 Taca de Portugal, knocking out heavyweights Sporting and Porto along the way, before beating Benfica in the final.
In 1992, Conde signed for Vitoria de Setubal, then a Portuguese second-division side, helping propel them back to the country’s top flight. Conde and Nigerian striker Rashidi Yekini scored a combined 36 goals in what was a memorable season for the club.
Next to come knocking for the Mozambican marksman was the mighty Sporting CP, who at the time boasted a young Luis Figo. Signing for the Portuguese giants allowed Conde to complete his father’s dream.
“It was the high point of my career, and we managed to win the Taca de Portugal in my first season,” said Conde. “It was the fulfilment of a childhood dream, because when I was playing on the streets of Mozambique, I was nicknamed ‘Yazalde’, after the great Argentinian striker [Hector Yazalde] who played for Sporting and scored countless goals. I ended up becoming a Sportinguista and made that dream come true.”
Conde’s greatest source of pride, however, was representing his country.
“I travelled whenever the national team had fixtures,” said Conde. “I was immensely proud to play for my country, of which I was captain. The Mozambican people looked up to me as an important standard bearer, and I couldn’t let them down.”
The former striker is an icon of his national team. Until 2010, he was the only Mozambican to play at three editions of the AFCON (1986, 1996, 1998) – a feat that was only equalled by Tico-Tico in 2010. The problem, however, was that the country failed to qualify for the continental championship again for another 13 years.
That long absence hurt the team and their fans, prompting the search for a new coach who could revolutionize football in Mozambique. It was no coincidence that the man tasked with restoring the country’s fortunes in 2021 was Conde, who only two years later secured qualification to the 2023 AFCON.
“In 1987 I was the first Mozambican after independence to play professionally abroad, paving the way for others to follow,” said Conde. “Now, I’m back as coach to qualify us for major tournaments.
“Restoring self-esteem to the Mozambican fans was a challenge I embraced from day one. I sincerely hope to continue this upward trajectory and promote change in Mozambican football. However, this is not something I can do on my own. I’m not a magician and don’t have a magic wand. Primarily, I need support to make progress. These brilliant players here will continue to make me the best coach.”
With Conde at the helm, the chance to forever change the course of the game in Mozambique has never been better.
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