Monteiro remains hopeful of Mozambique's progression

24Feb 2023
The Guardian Reporter
MOZAMBIQUE
Sport
The Guardian
Monteiro remains hopeful of Mozambique's progression

MOZAMBIQUE U-20 soccer squad's coach, Dario Monteiro, remains hopeful his side can reach the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations despite their 3-0 loss to Senegal in a 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations duel in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday night.

The Young Mambas need a draw in their final game against defending champions, Nigeria, on Saturday to stand a realistic chance of advancing, though a win would ensure their passage.

“We are now preparing to face Nigeria on Saturday. The match is not easy, but we are holding on to our chance to rise and we will fight for victory. It is now clear, either we win or we return to our country,” Monteiro said.

The gaffer noted: “We performed well in the first half and prevented Senegal from scoring any goal. We also took the initiative to attack and tried to score, but we did not take advantage of the opportunity."

“The situation was completely different in the second half, and the team could not continue to resist the Senegal attack. We have to admit that the Senegal national team is very strong, and we have more time to reach their level."

“Currently, we only think about the Saturday match, and we will start working on it from now on to preserve all our chances of qualifying for the next round.”

COSAFA’s other representative at the tournament, Zambia, is in action in their second game on Friday when they take on Gambia, who defeated Tunisia 1-0 in their opener. Zambia was held to a 1-1 draw by Benin in their first game

In another development, Zambia U-20 squad's coach Chisi Mbewe says his side will have to show improvement for the remainder of the tournament if they are to lift the trophy following their opening 1-1 draw against Benin on Wednesday.

Rickson Ng’ambi equalized for the young Chipolopolo after Rodolfo Aloko’s opening goal for the west Africans, but Mbewe says there is plenty of room for improvement.

“We were unrecognizable in the first half, then we quickly equalized,” Mbewe said.

“We regained control of the match, it was not enough to win. What I retain is the spirit of our reaction. We cannot be satisfied with this result. We have to question ourselves, find our drive.”

Zambia will next be in action on Friday when they take on Gambia, while fellow COSAFA side Mozambique faces mighty Senegal on Wednesday. The young Mambas drew 0-0 with hosts Egypt in their first game. AGENCIES 

Top Stories