Mozambique head coach Chiquinho Conde has revealed his half-time team talk as the key to their first-ever win at the African Nations Championship after coming from behind to beat 2014 champions Libya 3-2.
The Mambas looked like they were on their way to defeat after going behind via a Chico own goal early in the first half. They however rallied back late in the second half to claim all three points.
Conde encouraged his players that they had no option but to win the game which promoted their response.
“I am very proud of our players. They played a great match and I told them to remember all our preparations before coming here to Algeria. I am glad we won today,” the Mozambique coach explained on the CAF website.
“It was a difficult game and we knew that Libya had lost against Algeria and would absolutely want to redeem themselves – a situation that we had difficulty in managing because of our lack of experience and the pressure of the fans. We had to take some time to adapt.
“I told my players that you are going to win this match and you know why? Because you cannot lose it. The players I see now are not the ones that I am used to coaching so show yourself.
“In this match, I made three changes. The three players seemed tired to me which is normal. They had played the entire previous match. We needed new blood.”
Man of the Match Melque Melito also reiterated the impact of Conde’s team talk at the break.
“In the dressing room, the coach woke us up. He told us that we had not come all this way to leave empty-handed. He told us we are Mozambique, we have to improve our game, and started praying,” he said.
“We showed what we are capable of today. I think this match will be our reference point. We attacked together, defended together, celebrated our goals together, we are a team.”
Mozambique will now turn their attention to their final Group A game against hosts Algeria where a draw will see them through to the quarter-finals.
