Mozambique believe they can overcome a difficult draw and reach the knockout stage at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), according to former international Manuel Bucuane.

The Mambas have never progressed past the group stage in five previous attempts and are still awaiting their first win at the finals, having drawn five and lost 10 of 15 previous matches.

Chiquinho Conde’s side face a tough assignment in Group F against holders Ivory Coast, five-time champions Cameroon and a Gabon side led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but Bucuane remains optimistic.

“Mozambique doesn’t always play at this level so whenever the team qualifies, it’s a big achievement for the country,” the retired striker told BBC Sport Africa.

“The team is growing, there’s a lot of youngsters that are promising. We have players that are showing that they can compete at the highest level.”

“We are hoping that for the first time we can win a match or even progress to the next stage.

“It’s not going to be easy. We are in a very difficult group with very strong countries, but we believe in these boys.”