Mozambique have veteran skipper back in squad

Mozambique have recalled captain Dominguez, better know in South Africa as Elias Pelembe, to their squad for their friendly internationals in Morocco this month, putting the veteran back in contention for the squad to go to next month’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Dominguez turns 42 on Thursday, one day ahead of Mozambique’s friendly against Cup of Nations hosts Morocco at the Grande Stade in Tangier. The Mambas also play against Chad in Tetouan on 17 November.

Dominguez had been dropped earlier this year by coach Chiquinho Conde, after he handed in his passport late and missed out on a visa necessary to go to Egypt where the Mozambicans had to play a key World Cup qualifier without him.

He was accused of a lack of discipline but returns to the Mambas’ squad after a meeting that vice-captains Edmilson, Mexer and Reinildo had with coach to ask him to recall the popular skipper.

If Dominguez plays at the Cup of Nations in Morocco in December he will be the second oldest player to compete at the finals after Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who was aged 44 years 21 days when he took to the field in the final of the 2017 Cup of Nations final against Cameroon in Gabon.

Mozambique 🇲🇿 has two friendlies with 🇲🇦 🇹🇩 this month. Here’s the squad!

No new callups. Dominguêz (UD Songo 🇲🇿) and Clésio (Black Bulls 🇲🇿) are included this time. pic.twitter.com/m317Ldb27h — The International Window (@windowintlpod) November 5, 2025

Dominguez spent 15 seasons in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League and won four titles with SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits.

Mozambique’s squad for the trip to Morocco also includes Polokwane City midfielder Kambala and ex Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson, who now plays club football in Iraq.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ernan (Associação Black Bulls), Ivane Urrubal (Ferroviário Nacala), Kimiss Zavala (Marítimo, Portugal)

Defenders: Bruno Langa (Pafos, Cyprus), Chambuco (Associação Black Bulls), Diogo Calila (Santa Clara, Portugal), Edmilson (Al Quwa Al Jawiya), Mexer (Keçiörengücü, Turkey), Nanani (UD Songo), Nené (Abu Salim, Libya), Oscar (UD Songo), Reinildo (Sunderland, England)

Midfielders: Alfonso Amade (Dunfermline Athletic, Scotland), Dominguez (UD Songo), Kambala (Polokwane City, South Africa), Keyns Abdala (Chaves, Portugal), Pepo (Caldas, Portugal)

Forwards: Clésio Bauque (Associação Black Bulls), Faizal Bangal (AC Mestre, Italy), Geny Catamo (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Gildo Vilanculos (Tadamon Sour, Lebanon), Melque (UD Songo), Stanley Ratifo (Chemie Leipzig, Germany), Witi (Nacional, Portugal).