Mozambique vs Mauritius

On Saturday, Mozambique and Mauritius will face off at Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium in the 2025 COSAFA Cup, with Les Dodos aiming for a significant upset against Os Mambas.

Mozambique kicked off their campaign with a solid 1-0 victory over hosts South Africa, while Mauritius managed a 0-0 stalemate against Zimbabwe in their opening match.

Os Mambas showcased a well-rounded performance against South Africa, balancing sharp attacking moves with a sturdy defense. They recorded four shots on target while restricting their opponents to just one. The decisive moment came in the 73rd minute when Antonio Sumban scored the only goal of the match, securing a strong start for Mozambique.

Coach Chiquinho Conde will likely be pleased with both the result and the team’s cohesive attacking play and disciplined defending. This performance sets a promising foundation as Mozambique aims to lead their group, a feat they accomplished in the last tournament before finishing as second runners-up. Having already faced their toughest group opponent, Mozambique will look to maintain their momentum, especially given their dominant record against Mauritius, winning four of their last five encounters.

Mauritius, returning to the COSAFA Cup after sitting out the 2024 edition, delivered a solid defensive effort against Zimbabwe but couldn’t convert their chances, despite preventing their opponents from registering a single shot on target. Facing a formidable Mozambique side—who previously beat them 1-0 in their sole COSAFA Cup meeting in 2023—Mauritius may rue those missed opportunities. Coach Guillaume Moullec will be banking on another resilient defensive display.

Les Dodos haven’t advanced to the knockout rounds in over two decades, and their recent form offers little hope for a breakthrough, with no wins in their last six matches across all competitions, including three draws and four games without scoring. With their easiest group match already played, any points from their remaining two fixtures would be a valuable boost.