Mozambique have dropped long standing captain Dominguez from their squad for their final two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and are still hoping Mexer will be released by his French club to play in their key games against Rwanda and the Cape Verde Islands.

Mozambique must effectively win both Group F matches, in Kigali on March 24 and at home in Maputo six days later, to have any chance of going to the finals for the first time since 2010.

Coach Luis Gonçalves named 34 players in his squad including 10 from Portugal as well as Mexer, whose Ligue 1 club Bordeaux have already said will not release him for fears he will have to quarantine on his return to France after the two matches.

Returning to the squad is Faisal Bangal from Italian fourth division outfit Carravagio and there is a first call-up for Bruno Langa, who is at Amora in Portugal, and 21-year-old Mondlane, who plays for the Rio Ave reserves.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ernani, Freqnue (both Ferroviário Maputo), Guirrugo (UD Songo), Victor (Costa do Sol)

Defenders: Bheu (UD Songo), Bruno Langa (Amora, Portugal), Chico (TS Sporting, South Africa), David Malembana (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria), Jeitoso (Ferroviário Maputo), Jorge (Costa do Sol), Mexer (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Reinildo (Lille, France), Sidique (UD Songo), Zainadine Júnior (Marítimo, Portugal)

Midfielders: Amadou (UD Songo), Geny (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Kambala (Baroka FC, South Africa), Kito (Ferroviário Maputo), Maestro (Vitória Guimarães, Portugal), Mondlane (Rio Ave, Portugal), Nené (Costa do Sol), Pepo (Cova da Piedade, Portugal), Telinho (Costa do Sol)

Forwards: Amâncio (Marítimo, Portugal), Clésio (Zira IK, Azerbaijan), Dayo (Ferroviário Beira), Faisal Bangal (Caravaggio, Italy), Gildo (Amora, Portugal), Kamo-Kamo (Vitória Setúbal, Portugal), Lau King (UD Songo), Luis Miquissone (Simba, Tanzania), Reginaldo (KF Shkupi, North Macedonia), Witi (Nacional, Portugal).