NATIONAL TEAM - MOZAMBIQUE - COACH - Abel Xavier appointed as new national coach

AFRICA CUP 2017 QUALIFIERS Abel Xavier

Former Liverpool and Portugal defender Abel Xavier has been appointed as the new national team coach of Mozambique.

Xavier, who also played for Everton and LA Galaxy, was born in Mozambique, but as a child he moved to Portugal and played for them at international level.

The 43-year-old has been handed a two-year contract and will begin work on 1 February.

He has been given the tough task of helping the Mambas qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mozambique are bottom of Group H, having lost both of their matches so far, at home to Rwanda and then away in Mauritius.

Xavier's first competitive games are back-to-back games against Ghana, who are top of the group having won both their games so far.

The Mambas were eliminated from 2018 World Cup qualifying on penalties by Gabon in November.

The flamboyant Xavier's previous coaching experience has been at Portuguese clubs Olhanense, Farense and most recently Desportivo Aves.