Mozambique Appoint Victor Matine as New Head Coach

The Mozambique Football Federation has appointed Victor Matine as the new coach of the Mambas.

Matine, assistant coach of the Mambas since 2017, replaces Abel Xavier, who has not had his contract renewed.

The former international defender will meet the Executive Committee of the GFA on 10 April to formalise the deal. Matine has been given a contract until the end of the 2022 World Cup.

Former Burkina Faso coach Paulo Duarte had been considered for the post, with media reports in Mozambique suggesting he was the favourite for the job.

Talks between the parties took place but Duarte was unable to accept the position because of his other contractual commitments.

That led to the surprise appointment of Matine, who is a former coach of Mozambique’s under-23 and under-20 sides but is inexperienced at the highest level.

Matine will have former international midfielder Nelinho as his deputy and jump straight in action this weekend when the Mambas travel to Antananarivo to take on Madagascar in the African Nations Championship(Chan) qualifiers.