Mozambique does not go beyond a draw in Mali

Mozambique’s 1-1 draw against Mali in Bamako was a significant result for the Mambas in the opening match of Group I of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The game marked a positive start for Mozambique, especially given the strength of their opponent, Mali, which was expected to dominate on home soil. The draw highlights Mozambique’s resilience and tactical discipline, as they managed to take an early lead and withstand a strong second-half surge from their hosts.

The match saw Mozambique play with confidence from the start, and their approach paid off in the 37th minute when Bruno Langa’s well-placed cross caught Mali’s defense off guard. Geny Catamo, who currently plays for Sporting in Portugal, made no mistake with a clinical first-time shot that found the back of the net. Catamo’s goal gave the visitors the lead and stunned the nearly full 26 March Stadium in Bamako, where the local fans had expected their team to control proceedings. Mozambique’s early dominance was evident, with the team controlling 62 percent of possession in the first half and creating five shots on target, compared to Mali’s two.

Despite Mozambique’s strong start, the second half saw a reinvigorated Mali side. Under the guidance of new coach Tom Saintfiet, who was appointed following a series of poor results, Mali returned to the field with greater urgency. Just seven minutes into the second half, Yves Bissouma, a key midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box to score the equalizer. The goal shifted the momentum in Mali’s favor, and they began to exert more pressure on Mozambique, with several dangerous attacks that tested the visitors’ defense.

Mali finished the match with 58 percent possession in the second half, reflecting their dominance after the break. However, Mozambique’s defense, anchored by goalkeeper Ernan Siluane, held firm. Siluane made several crucial saves to prevent Mali from taking the lead, ensuring that Mozambique left Bamako with a valuable point. The result was a testament to Mozambique’s disciplined defensive structure and the team’s ability to withstand pressure in difficult moments.

After the match, Mozambique’s coach, Chiquinho Conde, praised his players for their effort, particularly given the challenging circumstances. "It’s very difficult to take a point from Mali at home," Conde noted, highlighting the significance of the draw. While acknowledging that Mozambique made some defensive errors in the second half, Conde expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, especially in the first half when they were clearly the better side. He also mentioned the logistical challenges his squad faced, pointing out that the players had not been together for almost four months before this match and had limited time to prepare.

Despite these challenges, Mozambique’s performance in the AFCON qualifier demonstrates their potential to compete at a high level. With this draw, they now sit in second place in Group I, tied with Mali on one point. Guinea-Bissau leads the group with three points after a victory in their opening match, while Eswatini remains in last place without a point.

Looking ahead, Mozambique has a crucial fixture on Tuesday when they face Guinea-Bissau at home in the Zimpeto National Stadium. This match will be important for Mozambique’s qualification hopes, as securing a win at home would put them in a strong position in the group. With the AFCON tournament set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, Mozambique will be eager to build on this promising start and continue their push for qualification.

The draw against Mali not only boosts Mozambique’s confidence but also sends a message to their group rivals that they are a team capable of competing with the best. For Geny Catamo, whose goal was instrumental in earning the point, this match further enhances his growing reputation as one of Mozambique’s key players. The team’s defensive resilience, led by Siluane’s impressive goalkeeping, will also be crucial as they navigate the rest of the qualification campaign.