Tico-Tico Scoring Record for Mozambique Explained

In which major international tournaments did Tico-Tico represent Mozambique?

Tico-Tico served as the focal point of the Mozambican attack during three separate appearances at the continental championship.

• 1996 AFCON: He featured in the tournament held in South Africa, marking Mozambique's return to the continental stage after a long absence.
• 1998 AFCON: He helped the squad qualify for the competition in Burkina Faso, where he continued to lead the line against elite African opposition.
• 2010 AFCON: He captained the side in Angola, providing veteran leadership during his final major tournament appearance for the national team.

How many caps did Tico-Tico earn during his tenure with the Mozambique national team?

Tico-Tico earned approximately 90 to 95 official caps for the Mambas, though exact figures fluctuate due to the inconsistent record-keeping of regional matches during the 1990s.

Use these figures as a baseline for his longevity, but always cross-reference individual match sheets to account for potential discrepancies in regional tournament classification.

What was the duration of Tico-Tico's international career with the Mambas?

The international tenure of Tico-Tico spanned nearly two decades, beginning with his debut in 1992 and concluding following the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. This longevity is rare for an attacking player, as it required him to maintain physical fitness and tactical relevance across vastly different generations of Mozambican football. He remained a consistent selection for national coaches regardless of the tactical system employed, often serving as the sole target man in defensive-minded setups.

For instance, his ability to adapt his game from a pacey forward in the mid-1990s to a more stationary, experienced leader by 2010 allowed him to remain effective well into his late thirties. One nuance to this duration is the significant gap in competitive activity during the mid-2000s, where the team struggled to qualify for major tournaments, limiting his exposure to high-level international competition during his prime years.

Against which national teams did Tico-Tico record his most significant goals?

His most impactful strikes often occurred during high-stakes qualifying matches where the Mambas needed results to secure their place in continental tournaments.

• South Africa: He frequently found the net against his neighbors, utilizing his deep knowledge of their defensive structure gained from his lengthy club career in the Premier Soccer League.
• Gabon: He delivered a crucial performance during the 2010 qualification cycle, helping Mozambique overcome difficult away conditions to secure a vital victory.
• Madagascar: He consistently exploited defensive lapses in regional encounters, boosting his tally during COSAFA Cup fixtures that were sanctioned as full international matches.

How did Tico-Tico's international scoring record influence his status in Mozambican football history?

Yes, his record of 30 goals solidified his status as the undisputed greatest striker in Mozambican history. By maintaining this output over 18 years, he became the benchmark for every subsequent forward, remaining the only player to reach such a high total in the modern era of the Mambas.

What was the average goals-per-game ratio for Tico-Tico throughout his international career?

Tico-Tico maintained a goals-per-game ratio of approximately 0.32, a respectable figure for a striker operating in a team that frequently faced more established African footballing nations.

Compare this ratio against his contemporaries to understand his efficiency, noting that his production often came in low-scoring matches where a single goal represented a significant result for the national team.