The president of the Casa de Mozambique em Portugal (CMP) association, Enoque João, expressed strong support today in Maputo for Portugal’s new, stricter immigration measures, arguing that tighter controls are necessary to organize the country and curb illicit activities.
Speaking on the sidelines of a press conference, João emphasized that proper enforcement brings dignity to newcomers and prevents vulnerable immigrants, including university students, from falling into homelessness or being exploited in overcrowded living conditions. He stated that temporarily tightening borders is a pragmatic step to reorganize local communities so that future migrants can be welcomed under humane and stable conditions.
João urged Mozambicans residing in Portugal to proactively regularize their legal documentation, warning that poorly managed migration flows have unfortunately allowed bad actors, fraud, and exploitation to tarnish the community’s reputation. The CMP president stressed that national security and administrative organization are essential for both locals and settled immigrant families to thrive sustainably.
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The remarks were delivered during the official launch of the first edition of the Matateu and Vicente Lucas Cup, a youth football initiative organized in partnership with Portuguese club Belenenses.
Scheduled to take place this September in Mozambique’s Inhambane province, the under-15 tournament honors the enduring sporting legacy of the two legendary Mozambican-born Portuguese internationals.
Vicente Lucas passed away recently at the age of 90 after earning 20 caps for Portugal, while his brother Matateu, who passed away in 2000, scored 217 goals for Belenenses. João noted that the tournament aims to establish international scouting networks and technical internships in Portugal, proving to young Mozambican athletes that their talent can achieve global reach.
