Mozambique earned their first ever win at the African Nations Championship against Libya earlier this week and now the Mambas are feeling more confident than ever ahead of their biggest test yet against 2022 CHAN hosts Algeria on Saturday. A draw or a victory will see Mozambique through to the quarterfinals in what would be a remarkable accomplishment for a team that was considered the least likely to advance out of Group A. However the Mambas could be eliminated with a lopsided defeat and will need to keep the score close against Algeria who have already clinched their spot in the final eight.
Algeria coach Madjid Bougherra is looking to end the group stage with a perfect record and maintain the team’s positive momentum with a win on Saturday. Bougherra indicated he is exploring the possibility of giving a few opportunities to players who have not played yet but is not concerned about any drop in quality if that is the case. Algeria’s defense and midfield are performing well but there may be room for a change in the attack to discover a new option in the forward line along with striker Aymen Mahious and left winger Abderrahmane Meziane.
Mozambique coach Chiquinho Conde is trying to keep his team dreaming and a win against the hosts would only add to the delighted response back home to the Mambas’ performance. Conde indicated that there may be a couple of changes in his eleven along with some tactical adjustments but he explained that his team “has a well-defined style of play” that has suited the Mambas well. Three substitutions scored all three goals in Mozambique’s 3-2 victory against Libya, giving Conde plenty to consider. Melque Melito and forward Pachoio Lau King were among the scorers against Libya and have shown well in Algeria along with veteran forward Isac Carvalho.
