Ageless PSL legend Pelembe earns seat in Mambas squad

PSL legend Elias Domingues Pelembe has earned a seat in Mozambique’s Mambas squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers proving that form is the king in senior team football.

Mambas’ coach Chiquino Conde, who extended his contract with Mozambique Football Federation days ago, released his 23-member party including the 41-year-old former Royal AM winger on Thursday. SuperSport.com has sourced the squad list from the federation’s website.

Pelembe returned home months ago to complete the last stretch of playing his career over a decade after thrilling Mzansi with his footwork at SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and BidVest Wits, among others.

Now, Conde hopes to tap from the wisdom and experience of the veteran PSL winger in the tricky trip to Mali on September 6 followed by a home dance with Guinea-Bissau four days later.

The squad comprises nine Europe-based players led by Atletico Madrid’s left-back Reinildo Mandava with 10 being home-based.

Kaizer Chiefs’ injured defender Edmilson Dove, former Sundowns winger Luís Miquissone and Polokwane City’s Manuel Kambala have not earned selection.

The squad has some notable new inclusions such as striker Elias Macamo from Desportivo de Nacala and Ferroviário de Nampula’s youthful keeper Fazito.

Defender Martinho Thauzene of Associação Black Bulls FC has also been recalled alongside Angola-based midfielder Shaquille Nangy.

SQUAD

Goalkeeper:

Ernan Alberto Siluane (Black Bulls Association)

Fasistence João Faza "Fazito" (Ferroviário de)

Ivane Official Urrubal (UD Songo)

Defenders:

Domingos João Macandza "Mexer" (Costa do Sol)

Bruno Alberto Langa (UD Almeria, Spain)

Infren Matola (UD Songo)

Reinildo Mandava (Atletico Madrid, Spain)

Martinho Thauzene (Black Bulls Association)

Edson Andre Sitoe "Mexer" (Bandirmaspor, Türkiye)

David Zeferino Malembana (Al Kharaitiyat, Qatar)

Feliciano Jone "Nené" (Black Bulls Association)

Midfielders:

Amade Momade "Amadou" (Namungo FC, Tanzania)

Ricardo Martins Guimarães "Guima" (Igdir FK, Türkiye)

Pedro Miguel Neves Santos "Pepo" (Caldas SC, Portugal)

Aly Abudo Zacarias (Costa do Sol)

Shaquille Nangy (Sacred Hope, Angola)

Jonathan Eusebio Muiomo (FV Illertissen, Germany)

Geny Cipriano Catamo (Sporting Club of Portugal, Portugal)

Elias Gaspar Pelembe "Domingues" (UD Songo)

Witness João Quembo "Witi" (Dibba Al-Hisn, United Arab Emirates)

Gildo Lourenço Vilanculos (Academic Association of Coimbra, Portugal)

Strikers: 

Stanley Ratifo (Chemie Leipzig, Germany)

Elias Macamo (Desportivo de Nacala)