Mozambique

The sports industry in Mozambique is growing, with football being the most popular sport. Other popular sports include basketball, volleyball, and handball. Athletics, rugby, and tennis are also gaining popularity. The country has hosted several international sporting events, including the African Cup of Nations and the All-Africa Games.


Metical (MZM)

.mz

Mozambican

Mozambicans

29.7M

Browse Mozambique Profiles

Popular in Mozambique

About Sports in Mozambique

History of Sports in Mozambique

Mozambique is home to a variety of traditional and regional sports. One of the most popular is soccer, which is played in many parts of the country. Other popular sports include basketball, volleyball, and handball.

Traditional sports such as capoeira, a martial art form, and maculele, a stick-fighting dance, are also popular in Mozambique. The country also has its own version of rugby, called “rugby de Mozambique”.

Other traditional sports include the game of “muxima”, which is a game of throwing stones, and “muximba”, which is a game of throwing sticks.

In addition, the country has its own version of cricket, called “cricket de Mozambique”.

Finally, the country also has its own version of football, called “futebol de Mozambique”. This is a game that is played with a ball made of cloth and is similar to the game of soccer.

Mozambique Sports Industry

Mozambique has a rich sporting history, with many national heroes and achievements.

In football, Mozambique has won the COSAFA Cup twice, in 2019 and 2020. The national team, known as the Mambas, have also qualified for the African Cup of Nations twice, in 1986 and 2019. The country's most famous footballer is Eusébio, who is considered one of the greatest players of all time.

In athletics, Mozambique has produced several Olympic medalists, including Maria Mutola, who won gold in the 800m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Other notable athletes include Maria de Lurdes Mutola, who won gold in the 800m at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and Maria do Carmo Mutola, who won bronze in the 800m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In basketball, Mozambique has won the AfroBasket twice, in 2003 and 2015. The national team, known as the Black Mambas, have also qualified for the FIBA World Cup twice, in 2019 and 2021.

In tennis, Mozambique has produced several world-class players, including João Sousa, who is currently ranked in the top 50 in the world.

In rugby, Mozambique has won the Africa Cup twice, in 2011 and 2013. The national team, known as the Black Rhinos, have also qualified for the Rugby World Cup twice, in 2019 and 2021.

Famous Mozambique Athletes

Mozambique has produced some of the greatest athletes in the world. One of the most famous is Maria Mutola, a track and field athlete who won the gold medal in the 800m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She also won the 800m at the World Championships in 2001 and 2003, and was the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a track event.

Another great athlete from Mozambique is swimmer Khatia Kukhianidze, who won the bronze medal in the 200m butterfly at the 2004 Athens Olympics. She also won the gold medal in the 200m butterfly at the 2006 African Swimming Championships.

Footballer Eusebio da Silva Ferreira is another great athlete from Mozambique. He was one of the best players in the world in the 1960s and 1970s, and was the top scorer in the 1966 World Cup. He also won the Ballon d'Or in 1965.

Finally, there is marathon runner Maria de Lurdes Mutola, who won the gold medal in the women's marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympics. She also won the bronze medal in the women's marathon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She is the only athlete from Mozambique to have won an Olympic gold medal in a marathon event.

Major Mozambique Sports Events

Mozambique is a country in southeastern Africa with a rich culture and a variety of traditional sports events. Some of the major annual sports events in Mozambique include:

1. The Mozambique National Football Cup: This is the most popular sport in the country and the national cup is held annually. It is a tournament between the top teams in the country and is watched by millions of people.

2. The Mozambique National Basketball Cup: This is the second most popular sport in the country and the national cup is held annually. It is a tournament between the top teams in the country and is watched by millions of people.

3. The Mozambique National Volleyball Cup: This is the third most popular sport in the country and the national cup is held annually. It is a tournament between the top teams in the country and is watched by millions of people.

4. The Mozambique National Athletics Championships: This is an annual event that is held in the capital city of Maputo. It is a competition between the top athletes in the country and is watched by millions of people.

5. The Mozambique National Rugby Cup: This is the fourth most popular sport in the country and the national cup is held annually. It is a tournament between the top teams in the country and is watched by millions of people.

6. The Mozambique National Handball Cup: This is the fifth most popular sport in the country and the national cup is held annually. It is a tournament between the top teams in the country and is watched by millions of people.

These are just some of the major, annual or traditional sports events in Mozambique. There are many more that are held throughout the year and are enjoyed by millions of people.

Top Sporting Countries

Explore Sports by Country

All countries on the planet contribute to the global sports industry.

Select a country below and begin exploring.

Browse Countries

Navigation Menu

Explore Global Sports

Sports Industry Services

Sports Articles

Connect