Tico-Tico Bucuane says he is confident Mozambique have a strong enough squad to beat Ivory Coast in Sunday's 2010 World Cup qualifier and, in so doing, keep alive their hopes of progress to the last phase of the African preliminaries.

The newly-signed Maritzburg United striker will captain the Mambas in the Group 7 tie in Maputo.

Tico-Tico said he recognised it would be a tough match, but said the Mozambicans were well aware of the need to win the game.

"I think we have the quality of team to get a good result," he told reporters in training in Maputo. "The positive results we have achieved recently have motivated us and what is necessary is to keep this positive spirit up.

"I believe it is possible to defeat the Ivorians. The fact that we are playing at home should ensure we can win," he added.

Tico-Tico is one several PSL-based players in the squad for Sunday's match.

Others are SuperSport United's Domingues (Elias Pelembe) and Dario Monteiro from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mozambique have also selected Mauricio, despite him being recently handed a free transfer by Lamontville Golden Arrows.