Coach: Mart Nooij Players: Miguel Armando Sa Samuel Campira Carlos Carlitos Ernesto Cossa Primeiro Danito Elias Domingues Sergio Faife Alberto Fanuel Eugenio Oila Genito Carlos Goncalves Momed Hagy Jerry Tiago Josemar Zinedine Junior Joao Rafael Kampango Dario Khan Celso Mano Armando Marcelino Samuel Massimdue Francisco Massinga Pequenino Mauricio Edson Mexer Daniel Miro Dario Monteiro Nasser Nelinho Gerson Nito Martinho Paito Helder Pelembe Mate Simao Apson Sonito Manuel Tico-Tico Alberto Txuma Francisco Whiskey

Mozambique go to their fourth Africa Cup of Nations finals with high hopes of not only winning their first ever match on this stage but also reaching the knockout stages.

That, according to their longest-serving team member Manuel 'Tico Tico' Bucuane, would be the best retirement gift from his team-mates.

The 36-year-old striker, who has been part of the national squad since 1993, plans to quit international football after the 27th edition of this tournament, arguing that it is time for him to "create some space for up and coming Mozambicans".

He has featured twice in Orange AFCON, ANGOLA 2010 finals - in South Africa and Burkina Faso in 1996 and 1998 respectively.

In 1996, Bucuane made history by scoring Mozambique's first goal in the history of the tournament during a 1-1 draw with Tunisia in Johannesburg which he describes as one of his greatest achievements.

Mozambique had made their debut in the Orange AFCON, ANGOLA 2010 finals in Egypt in 1986 where they lost all their three first-round games.

The Black Mambas have been drawn in a tough Group C along with holders Egypt, Nigeria and Benin.

"It's definitely going to be a tough one in Angola, considering that we have super powers like Egypt and Nigeria who will start as favourites in our group," said Bucuane.

"The fact that Nigeria and Egypt will be favourites helps us a lot in easing the pressure for ourselves, it's good that nobody is giving us a chance.

"We are going there with two things in mind; to get Mozambique's first win in the Orange AFCON, ANGOLA 2010 finals and also reach the knockout stages."

SuperSport United's Dario Monteiro, another Black Mambas senior citizen who featured in the 1998 finals, is encouraged by the dramatic 1-0 win over Tunisia in qualifying when he scored the all-important goal.

He said: "We have a more organised team this time round going to the Orange AFCON, ANGOLA 2010 finals, which I think will help us lay a solid foundation for our 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign."

Elias Pelembe, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, believes the tournament in Angola will be a golden platform for some of the youngsters to impress international scouts.

"It will be my first Orange AFCON, ANGOLA 2010 finals, so I want it to be a great one with Mozambique qualifying for the second round," he said.

"We have a solid team, which I think will surprise many people.

"With the world now focusing on Africa because of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Angola will be invaded by talent scouts searching for new players.

"Hopefully some of us will get some deals to play abroad."

The squad is not lacking in experience, with Kampango (Tarsana, Egypt), Paito (FC Sion, Switzerland), Mano (ENPPI, Egypt), Genito (Budapest-Honved, Hungary) and Simao (Panathinaikos, Greece) all playing at a high standard.

Perhaps it is for that reason that Dutch coach Mart Nooij is confident his side can cause an upset and warned: "We have a team of great fighters who are hungry for success.

"Anybody who thinks Mozambique are going to Angola on holiday will get the shock of his life. There is no way we will come back home at the end of the group stages."