Give coach more time

Abel Xavier in need of support

hile victory in their final African Nations Cup qualifier against Mauritius on September 2 could see Mozambique finishing second in their qualifying group, a place at the finals in Gabon next year as one of the two best runners-up is already beyond The Black Mambas, whose last finals appearance was in Angola in 2010.

After losing their first four qualifiers, a surprise 3-2 win away to Rwanda in June was a muchneeded boost for coach Abel Xavier, who took charge in February amid much publicity.

“I am not so sure if Xavier is popular right now but people must give him some time,” says former Benfica and Villarreal defender Armando Sa, who won 21 caps for Mozambique.

Born in Nampula, Abel Xavier later moved to Portugal and won 20 caps for Mozambique’s former colonial power in a career that took him from Benfica to Real Oveido, PSV, Everton and Liverpool. In contrast, his coaching experience has been mostly in the Portuguese second division.

In 2013, he took charge of Olhanense but only lasted a few months before being fired. After joining Farense at the end of 2014, he saw out the season but was then sacked again after a few months at Aves.

Sa adds: “Before Xavier needed time because he was a young coach, but people need to respect his story. Xavier has a lot of experiences and the potential to be a good manager.”

Both Sa and Abel Xavier moved to Portugal as children, but leaving Mozambique for professional contracts abroad is the dream for most players in the local domestic league.

“The football conditions are better now,” says Sa, who also played for Espanyol in Spain and Leeds United before ending his career playing in Iran. “Some clubs pay good money but it’s difficult