Meet Songo: The new stars of Mozambican football

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Meet Songo: The new stars of Mozambican football

1:45 CAT | 05 Nov 2018

Songo Sports Union celebration party was held at home, on the weekend. Photo: DW

The Songo Sports Union is the first two-time Mozambican champion from outside of Maputo. For three years the club has added conquest upon conquest. What is the secret of their success?

This was another year of glory for the Songo Sports Union, with the club winning the national soccer championship, Moçambola, for the second time in a row.

On Saturday (03.11), on the 30th and final day of the championship, the team from Tete province lost 2-1 to Maxaquene de Maputo. But this was the only loss they suffered at home this year. The numbers speak for themselves: Songo finishes the Moçambola with 58 points, resulting in 17 wins, seven draws and six losses.

In all, there are really three years of achievements. In addition to being the first Mozambican champion from outside of Maputo ever, Songo won the Mozambique Cup in 2016.

“All this is done by a team that’s not even from the provincial capital [Tete]. It is a local team. So after all, a lot can be achieved locally,” says Pedro Couto, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric, the team’s main sponsor.

UniÃ£o Desportiva do Songo ist mosambikanischer FuÃballmeister — *Songo Sports Union players also finished first two years ago*

What is their secret?

Created in 1982, the then HCB Sports Group entered the Moçambola in 2009, one of the few local teams to participate in the supreme test of national football.

But victories are “no accident”, says Couto. The secret to success is simple: “Work, dedication, firmness”.

In two weeks, Songo will represent Mozambique in the African Football Champions League. The club’s president, Lucas Gune, promises that the team will not disappoint.

“We want our success story to win new golden plaudits, and for that to happen we are counting on the commitment and dedication of all, so that the Songo Sports Union remains at the top,” Gune said.

Other games

The Moçambola finished with second-placed Ferroviário de Maputo losing to ENH Vilankulo 1-0.

Liga Desportiva of Maputo beat Beira’s Ferroviario 3-0. Costa do Sol and Quelimane’s 1º de Maio drew with two goals apiece. Ferroviario of Nampula beat Textafrica of Chimoio by 3-1, Chibuto drew 0-0 with Ferroviario of Nacala , and the already eliminated Manica Pedagogical University Sports Club beat the also-relegated Sporting of Nampula 2-1, while Desportivo of Nacala beat Xinavane’s Incomati by 1-0.

Source: Deutsche Welle