The presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, said today that the project to liberate Mozambique is bigger than any other event of national unity.

He was commenting on the match between Mozambique and Mali, scheduled for early this evening.

"We are patriots. We defend our homeland. We defend everything that bears the name of Mozambique. But don't confuse our minds. Right now we are reflecting on our country. Organizing our country so that we have good sport, a good economy, health, schools, transport, security, democracy and free elections," he said.

According to Mondlane, at the moment, soccer is one element within a range of issues that we want to address.

The Confederation of African Football has informed the Mozambican Football Federation that, in the event of any social unrest, the Mambas will face an administrative penalty and a fine.

"I'm not against the game and I'm not telling people not to go to the game," he said, criticizing the distribution of tickets to a population that has the bare minimum.

"Our strategy is also to give dignity to sportspeople," he said.