AFCON: Mozambique's record, edition by edition

Mozambique has carved its path in AFCON history as a perennial underdog, a team that often makes sporadic appearances but is always driven by remarkable persistence. Making their debut in the finals in 1986, the Mambas have long struggled to progress beyond the group stage, alternating between occasional qualifications and long spells away from the continental spotlight.

Read also: AFCON – South Africa’s record, edition by edition

The 1996, 1998, and then 2010 tournaments highlighted just how tough it has been for Mozambique to establish themselves at Africa’s elite level, despite a generation that regularly managed to qualify. The real turning point came in 2023: after more than a decade without AFCON action, Mozambique returned to the tournament, regaining crucial continental visibility to help shape their sporting project.

Now qualified for AFCON 2025, the Mambas have a golden opportunity to turn this comeback into a new era, with the clear goal of finally breaking through to the next stage.

Here’s a summary of Mozambique’s AFCON appearances:

• 1986 (Egypt): group stage
• 1996 (South Africa): group stage
• 1998 (Burkina Faso): group stage
• 2010 (Angola): group stage
• 2023 (Ivory Coast): group stage
• 2025 (Morocco): qualified

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations