Position: Attacking Midfield/Forward
Current Club: Sporting B (Portugal)
DOB: 26 January 2001
Birthplace: Maputo, Mozambique
Height: 172 cm (5’8)
Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs)

Geny Catamo is a diminutive and quick attacking forward who is most comfortable operating on either flank. Geny moved to Portuguese third tier side Amora from prominent Mozambican side Black Bulls after making his name starring for Mozambique’s under-17 national team in the 2017 COSAFA U-17 Championship. He can operate in any attacking position, but prefers to cut inside from the right wing and shoot.

Geny is now on Lisbon-based powerhouse Sporting’s “B” team, where he has progressed from the U-19 side to spending preseason with the senior squad. The speedy forward is emerging as a star with Mozambique’s senior national side, standing out in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Cameroon for Os Mambas. Catamo is excellent on the ball and excels when dribbling at defenders or in tight spaces, but still has work to do at this point on his end product in the final third.

+ Excellent and confident dribbler. Continues to develop ability on the ball and is always a threat to get behind the defense with pace.

+ Becoming more and more confident when striking the ball with technique. Increasing ability on set piece deliveries.

– Poor decision making on his passes. Lacks consistency when moving the ball forward as a playmaker.

– Not much of a threat when striking shots from distance. Lacks accuracy when attempting to strike efforts with power.

– Needs to continue to develop his ability to involve teammates at club and national team levels.

+ Very quick and reaches top speed in a short amount of time. + Low center of gravity allows him to accelerate through tight spaces and win his fair share of duels on the ground.

– Average to below average power on shot attempts. Accuracy suffers when attempting to increase velocity on shots.

– Diminutive size makes him a non-factor on aerial challenges.

+ Very good to excellent dribbler. Takes ball in smoothly and is unafraid to operate in tight spaces under pressure

+ Capable set piece taker who continues to develop and improve. Accurate when whipping in corner kicks.

– Much development to do when putting the proper weight on passes short and long. Does not have the passing creativity required of a playmaker at higher levels.

– Mostly fails to complete crosses to targets when on the run out wide. Crosses to a general area rather than attempting to pick out a target. Particularly lacking when playing ball with weaker right foot.

+ Progressing at a steady pace as he makes transition from lower tiers to higher levels. Continues to improve at asserting his abilities.

– Needs to improve his decision making on the ball in order to take the next step to compete regularly in top division football. Does not make his teammates better at this point.

+ Operates well in all attacking positions including on both wings or as a second forward.

– Too often puts his teammates in difficult positions due to inconsistent short passing and still makes the wrong decisions when trying to advance ball forward.

When viewing the video of Geny, it is immediate what stands out about the talented young attacker, his ability on the dribble. Whether it is controlling the ball with his first touch or taking on defenders without fear, it is clear that Geny is very advanced in his confidence when it comes to ball handling. Here is a compilation of highlights from his time with Sporting’s U-19 team, where he proved himself as a prospect to keep an eye on:

The next step for Geny has been putting it all together in the final third. Here is video of his best moments assisting and scoring goals including a peak at his ability to excel at delivering corner kicks:

However, the consistency is not quite there yet, particularly with regards to consistentency on his shots. Here are moments when he shows how wasteful he can be attempting to finish or cut inside from the right wing to shoot:

The most concerning part of Geny’s game currently is that he still has much development to do when atempting to act as a playmaker by creating chances for his teammates. Passing is a department where Geny has to improve his decision making and accuracy. The first video below highlights how Geny can struggle with his short passing and puts his teammates in tough positions. The second video below shows how far he has to go when attempting crosses or trying to play aerial balls over the top of defenses, especially with his weaker right foot:

Geny possesses an appealing skillset that has seen him become a star for Mozambique and rise through the ranks at Sporting, but it is looking unlikely that he will break into the first team for the top Portuguese club. The only way that he will be able to refine his shooting, crossing and playmaking is by getting regular game time. While his abilities will appeal to many sides, a realistic destination is the second tier of Portugal. A great proving ground for pacey players with technical promise, the Segunda Liga appears to be a place where Geny can easily secure a loan move. Of course, his versatility suggests that he is worth a full transfer if a team in another European second division is looking to take a chance in making a push for promotion.