UD Songo Stuns CD Maxaquene with Comeback Victory at Machava

UD Songo produced a superb second-half performance to come from behind and beat CD Maxaquene 2-1 at the Estádio da Machava in Maputo on June 17, 2026. The result was a major boost for Songo’s top-three ambitions, while Maxaquene suffered a setback in their push for the Mozambique Championship title.

Match Overview

The home side started with confidence and took the lead in the 18th minute. A flowing move down the left saw winger Feliciano Nhampossa cut the ball back for striker Carlos Júnior, who slotted home from 12 yards. Maxaquene dominated possession for the remainder of the first half but failed to add a second, hitting the post through a free kick just before the break.

UD Songo regrouped at halftime and came out with renewed energy. Their equalizer arrived in the 52nd minute: a corner was only half-cleared, and midfielder Dinis Chamboco volleyed home from the edge of the area. The match turned decisively in the 74th minute when Songo’s winger Elias Júnior sprinted onto a through ball, shrugged off a defender, and slotted coolly past the goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

Key Tactical Story

• Maxaquene’s inability to kill the game: Despite controlling the first half, Maxaquene lacked a cutting edge in the final third, frequently taking too many touches inside the box.
• Songo’s tactical switch: Coach Amadeu Manjur moved to a 4-3-3 formation at halftime, overloading the flanks and exposing Maxaquene’s full-backs, a change that paid off.
• Set-piece vulnerability: Maxaquene’s defence struggled to deal with Songo’s aerial threats, with both goals coming from crosses or dead-ball situations.

Standout Performers

• Dinis Chamboco (UD Songo) – Scored the equalizer and dominated the midfield battles, covering every blade of grass.
• Elias Júnior (UD Songo) – His pace and power were too much for the Maxaquene backline, and his winner was a fine individual effort.
• Carlos Júnior (CD Maxaquene) – Scored the opener but faded after halftime, largely due to a lack of service.

Season Impact

UD Songo climb to 30 points from 15 matches, now sitting in third place – level on points with second-placed Ferroviario da Beira. The victory also extends their unbeaten run to six games. For CD Maxaquene, the defeat leaves them on 33 points, still top of the league but with their lead cut to just three points. They will need to address their defensive lapses quickly as the title race intensifies.

Maxaquene’s fans will be disappointed with the result, but UD Songo’s resilience and tactical adaptability mark them as genuine contenders for the championship in the second half of the season.