Mozambique 2-4

 

Lau King (left; Sagrada Esperanca)
vs. Ghana (2:2) | AFCON | 2024 in Ivory Coast

Reinildo Mandava (Atletico Madrid | ESP)
vs. Egypt (2:2) | AFCON | 2024 in Ivory Coast

Mozambique had a really heartbreaking campaign at the 2024 AFCON. Clearly an underdog in a group with Egypt, Ghana and Cape Verde, which keeps getting to the knockout stages for some reason, they had barely a chance to get anything out of the tournament. Not the least, as they lack any stars and called up players like Stanley Ratifo, who is a German rapper that plays non-league footy. Yet, they did shock the football world in their opening match already, taking the lead against Egypt and rightly so, as they have been the better team. But a penalty in the 90+7' minute gave superstar Salah the chance to level the match out. After losing the Cape Verde match, their last match against Ghana was a do-or-die match for both teams. If either team wins, it will go through, while both would go out, if they draw. And Ghana looked like winning all the time - but Mozambique shocked the Black Stars by scoring twice in overtime to get a second draw, again a 2:2. All that wasn't enough, though, as the dominating Cape Verde and Egypt, which drew all matches, made it through the knock-out stages instead.

During the AFCON, the team wore bespoke Lacatoni shirts, which I really like. They remind me of the 2010 Puma series for Africa, with little details on the shoulder of the shirt. As Lacatoni sold them for about 30€ each, I just got all three colours of it, although I am still unsure, if the white one was ever worn by the Mambas. Eithe way, I am more than pleased with these!