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Mozambique join Mali in Morocco

olympic games paris 202419 November 2024 18:37| © Backpage TXT
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Mozambique secured their place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau in their final qualifier at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Tuesday.

Chiquinho Conde's side took an early lead through Bruno Langa, but Beto hit back for the Djurtus three minutes before halftime to ensure the two teams went into the break at level pegging.

Stanley Ratifo quickly restored the Mambas' advantage after the restart and they held on for the remainder of the second half to finish runners-up to Mali in Group I.

Guinea-Bissau came into the clash on the back of a 1-1 draw with Eswatini last Friday, while Mozambique looked to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Eagles which ended their unbeaten run in the qualifiers.

The visitors got off to a flying start in Bissau when Langa found space for a shot outside the area and stuck the ball in the back of the net with just nine minutes on the clock.

Beto sent the Southeastern Africans a warning on 24 minutes as he thumped a shot against the crossbar from the edge of the box and Manuel Balde had to be alert to keep out a fierce strike from Ratifo eight minutes later.

However, Luis Boa Morte's side found a timely response in the closing stages of the first half when Beto powered a header past Ernan Siluane to equalise in the 42nd minute.

Parity lasted just 10 minutes though, as Ratifo got on the end of Geny Catamo's cross to plant a header beyond Balde to register his third goal of the qualifying campaign.

The hosts piled on the pressure in the closing stages and Beto forced Siluane into a fine save on 78 minutes after making contact with Nanu's cross, while Mama Balde also worked the goalkeeper with a header that was palmed away from danger in the 87th minute.

Guinea-Bissau: (1) 1 (Beto 42')

Mozambique: (1) 2 (Langa 9', Ratifo 52')

Guinea-Bissau: Manuel Balde, V. Rofino (O. Sangante 57'), Bura (B. Cisse 88'), Sambinha (A. Semedo 63'), J. Encada, Dalcio, J. Bikel (Ze Turbo 63'), A. Dabo (Nanu 56'), C. Mane, Mama Balde, Beto.

Mozambique: E. Siluane, I. Matola, Mexer, Reinildo, B. Langa, Guima (E. Pelembe 79'), A. Amade, G. Catamo, Pepo (Nene 46'), G. Lourenco (Clesio 74'), S. Ratifo (Chamboco 65').

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