Moçambola is a term describing the first division league. It’s been derived from the words; Moçambique and Bola meaning Mozambique and Ball meaning Mozambican Football.
Despite financially limitations it is a professional league with most clubs owning their own home grounds. Moçambola comprises of 14 first division teams spread throughout the country, with teams from the capital representing more than half of the clubs. Desportivo, Costa Do Sol, Ferroviario and Maxaqueni are the predominant clubs from the capital having academies practicing other sporting codes like basketball, swimming, volley ball, hockey to mention just a few. These four clubs are mainly responsible for exposing our local talent abroad. Tico Tico now with Jomo Cosmos, Pelembe with Super Sport and Dario at Sundowns are all products of Desportivo.
Our league is not that competitive like the PLS but it is vital to mention that we have a lot of talent here. Most teams comprise of local talent with only very few internationals. Unlike the PSL we can’t afford to contract foreign players to boost our local league.
Like any sport, football nowadays generates income only if players are productive and for that to happen an incentive has to be there as the driving force. In the past, players practiced the sport for the passion of it. Things have changed; money plays a vital role in the development of this sport. For soccer sponsors, it’s not easy for them to deposit confidence in a team. As role players they need assurance that their financially efforts will pay back.
Soccer turnout at stadiums has drastically dropped due to the poor performance. Perhaps the lack of dedication on our young players has led to the low level of competition. There is no passion but only an obligation to get the job done.
Should we attribute the lack of good performance the result of low incentives? Of course, players need to be well remunerated to produce positive results but that is not the only key factor in achieving efficiency on the field of play. Our soccer players need character. It is unfortunate that not all teams have capacity to camp before a soccer match. Some only go into camp when the game is outside their province otherwise they would normally leave their homes for a concentration just before the game on the same day.
Players need discipline on and outside the field. A few days in the camp helps prepare the players physically and mentally before kickoff. It is however, sad to see some players consuming alcohol with a match to be played the next day. Surely we don’t expect maximum output of such players. Such players don’t usually make it in football locally or internationally. With undisciplined players, our level of soccer will continue deteriorating.
Not all is bad on our soccer. The league is tripling its efforts in securing sponsors to help it meet its goals.EDM, Mcel, Vodacom, Sasseka, BCI and Broadband providers are a few of the many companies extending their hand to the national league. Clubs are doing their best in contracting good managers to implant dynamism on the field. The national team has been observing a steady upward graph in the past two years. After having drawn with Nigeria in the qualification for the World Cup and African Cup of Nations Mozambique is currently ranked 80th By FIFA.We are already a force to reckon with as we have already shown our potential with other teams like Cote d Voire and Senegal. The coming games will hopefully serve as a platform for the exposure of our local talent abroad.
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May 14, 2009 at 10:01 am
Dear Srs,
Interesting article but I think the situation is not better then 10 years ago. I sponsor Nova Alianca in the 2 Liga (Campeonato da cidade de Maputo) and they are mainly schoolboys and they play on the same level as full prof clubs as Estrela Vermelha or 1 de Maio. Are we so good or is mozambican football so bad ? Only the nacional team is very good.
May 27, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Hmm, what do you mean they play on the same level as full professional clubs, when there are on a lower league? It would be interesting to educate us outside Mozambique to get a clear picture on soccer activities in Moz.
May 27, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Yes we play in the 2 Liga. But for exemple we (Nova Alianca) won 1-0 against Estrela Vermelha (Red Star Maputo) last year playing in the 1 Liga and this team has full prof players with a caoch who won several years ago the national championship. We are playing with very young players (mostly schoolboys) and a very young player/trainer. Therefore I said that the level in Mozambique is`t very high. I cann`t imaging this could happen in Ghana or South Africa.
May 27, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I get your point centro de encontro.It is naturally for a second division team to beat a premier league team just like it happens in the FA CUP of England but that doesnt put the teams on the same level of competence.I also agree with you that our level of football has declined over the years as i ve discussed above.
Mambas which is the national team, has ofcourse been showin improvement and has such soccers lovers are being drawn to fill the stadium when the national team is playing.
May 27, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Yes Mr. Pinto the national team of Mozambique is doing very well the last 2 years with the dutch coach Mart Nooij but they have also some very old player like Tico Tico. Who will replace them ??????? My point is that most teams in Mozambique only wants to buy players and doesn`t have any interest in training talents. My team have 99% players from my footballschool in Maputo.
Regard Rene Boezaard
June 5, 2009 at 10:58 am
im willing to get player to moz league how do i do that from south africa
June 5, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Well present him to several clubs for exemple in Maputo.
But salaries for players are very low.
June 5, 2009 at 12:36 pm
This is very interesting, Moz players normally seek greener pastures in SA and now SA players are about to do the opposite…
June 5, 2009 at 4:05 pm
how do i go about to get them in moz to fulfil theyer passion cos in sa its waste of time and theyre willing to take the risk anytime its all about the love of the game .lets help the boys to realies thec pontetial.
June 6, 2009 at 7:21 am
Go with your players to Maputo and visit with your players some 1 liga or 2 liga clubs like Desportivo de Maputo or Costa do Sol. When they are good they will get a contract. So what is the problem ? Some years ago my son went to SA Durban and played some time for AmaZulu. You have to take the risk of spending some money.
Good luck.
June 9, 2009 at 11:48 am
im a still much interested of bringing the players to mozambique its not about money its about the love passion of football i hate to see the talent goes to waste they will get the recognition they deserve
June 9, 2009 at 12:00 pm
could anyone furnish me with the contacts of the 1 liga and 2 liga in mozambique
June 9, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Contact a local newspaper like Noticias in Maputo and tell your story and the sories of the players, good free publicity. I`m owwner of the 2 Liga club Nova Alianca but we only use players from our own footballschool. Good luck.
June 10, 2009 at 10:57 am
HI Moxolisi
Its an interesting fact..to know that .there are south african players willing to play in our league.First you need to know exatcly the team you wish the players to play for..but then you need to come over and watch our local league..from there its easy to get contacts..and the players can be tested to see if they qualify for the league.
A verbal person to person dialogue is likely to yield results..than a distance comunication..so take the risk come over and familiarize yourself..with our local soccer
June 10, 2009 at 11:20 am
Enough said…Mxolisi just get to Mozambique and start the ball rolling, nothing will happen through a remote control…
July 10, 2009 at 10:59 am
Hi,
If I’m planning a trip to Maputo and I’d like to see a soccer match, how do I check when/where a game is on? Is there a website/phone number/schedule of games?
Thanks for your time.
Marcus
July 10, 2009 at 11:24 am
Website program:
http://www.todor66.com/football/Mozambique/2009/index.html
Maputo: competition Mocambola (1 Liga) and 2 Liga Cidade de Maputo
Have fun,
Nova Alianca (2 Liga)
October 2, 2009 at 6:39 pm
well can u liformation me where the soocer club is maybe 1 day l will be like them
November 13, 2009 at 4:57 am
One needs to understand that the fact that our League is less competitive has nothing to do with lack of talent. In fact SA needs to buy talents. In Mozambique we have deeply inspired soccer players whose talent is God-given. Before you think of sending South African players here come and have a look and gauge the quality displayed here and note our national soccers has wonderful and eye-catching players and they are all locally based players and some are overseas based ones but we are not desperate for them.
December 17, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I am interested on buying or sponsoring a club in Mozambique. Does anybody have any contacts so i can get to the chairman or vice chairman about the possibility of buying a club. I got finances i am just looking for a club. I am from Europe and am interested on buying a club.
If anyone has any contacts please contact me at: vozelj.investments@gmail.com
Thanks,