The Mozambican coach, Chiquinho Conde, 55, may replace the Portuguese, Horácio Gonçalves, as national soccer selector. Currently living in Portugal, sources say that Conde should arrive in Maputo this week to sign a contract with the Mozambican Football Federation (FMF).

"I am flattered to be chosen for such a thorny patriotic mission" said Conde when called to react to FMF's invitation.

It seems that the FMF will impose as one of Conde's priorities the qualification of the Mambas for the 2023 African Nations Championship.

Chiquinho Conde had been without coaching any other club since he left Vitória de Setúbal's under-23 team, in June last year, and returns to the "Beloved Fatherland" through the biggest door.

Remember, however, that Chiquinho Conde led the Mambas in May 2010, in the friendly match against Portugal. At that meeting, the Portuguese national team won by 3-0.

It should be noted that the coach was captain of the Mambas for over a decade and announced his "farewell" to the national team in April 2010.

As a player, Chiquinho did most of his career in Portugal, at Belenenses, SC Braga, Vitória de Setúbal, and Sporting CP.

In 2009 Chiquinho Conde won the Moçambola at the service of Ferroviário de Maputo.