“The FMF [Mozambican Football Federation] is confident that this solution is the most appropriate to guarantee the success of the ʽmambasʼ in this crucial stage of the qualifiers”, reads a press release.

The federation points out “strategic factors” that dictated the choice of Egypt to host the national team's game, namely the logistics and ease of travel for players playing in Europe, as well as the subsequent trip to Algeria, where the team will face the local team on March 25.

CAF has once again banned the Zimpeto National Stadium in Maputo, the only stadium in the country for official international matches, because the pitch does not meet the “required standards”, announced the FMF on Tuesday.

In a statement, the federation indicated that the CAF decision was taken after two inspections, carried out on February 17 and 28, in which several anomalies were identified, including “the condition of the floor and grass".

The ban on the only stadium that can be used for international matches followed another on December 15th, also for failing to comply with the “required standards”. Previously, the Zimpeto stadium had been closed in 2023, forcing the 'mambas' team to play in neighboring South Africa.

On the fifth day, on March 20, while the “Mambas” host Uganda, in a borrowed home, Algeria visits Botswana and Guinea-Conakry receives a visit from Somalia.

For the sixth round, the first of the second round, while the “Mambas” travel to Algeria on Tuesday, March 25, Botswana hosts Somalia and Uganda plays at home against Guinea-Conakry.

In the league table, remember, Algeria and Mozambique share the lead with nine points, followed by the trio of Botswana, Uganda and Guinea-Conakry, all with six points, in a group in which Somalia has not yet scored.

The regulations determine that only the winner of each of the nine groups qualifies directly for the 2026 “World Cup”.

The four best second-placed teams compete in a play-off, from which only the winner qualifies for the second play-off, involving representatives from other continents, from which the 48th and final team for the World Cup will qualify, which, for the first time, will take place simultaneously in three countries (Canada, Mexico and the United States of America).