Building Social Cohesion and Enhancing Psychosocial Wellbeing Through Football in Cabo Delgado

A football rolls across the dusty pitch, boys and girls from different backgrounds chase it while shouting and laughing with excitement. They are united by a passion for football that transcends their different places of origin and many challenges they have had to overcome.  

These young players have all been affected by a humanitarian and displacement crisis in that has displaced over 700,000 people in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique.

Football is emerging as a tool that is bringing unity.  This beloved sport is not only offering a much-needed escape and a sense of normalcy for these young players, but also playing a crucial role in integrating those displaced into their new communities. Helping to break down barriers, build new relationships, and create a supportive environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose.  

One of the players and displaced young men is Denilson. Aged 16, he is originally from the Island of Ibo in the north of the province. At the age of six, he moved to the coastal city of Quissanga with his grandfather. But just as he was settling in, conflict in the region erupted and his family had to flee to Pemba, the capital city of Cabo Delgado province. 

“I remember how neighbours alerted us that armed guys were coming, and we had to run out in the middle of the night. After three days hiding without food on the neighbouring island of Quirimba, we arrived in Pemba”, says Denilson. 

When he arrived in the Chuiba neighborhood, Denilson joined the local football team, which consisted of young players displaced by the conflict as well as native Chuiba community members. Through his passion for football, Denilson found solace, made new friends, and integrated better into the community.  

“At first it was not easy, arriving in a new place almost completely alone.  I realized that being shy doesn't help to integrate. Now, being part of the team, I feel like I belong. Sport is unity, and this team has become a new family for me." 

Denilson says the team serves as a safe space, providing an environment where they can have fun, build lasting relationships, and have a support network. “When the ball runs, we forget about our problems.” 

Feeling safe in Pemba, Denilson has learned new languages from his friends and values his education, which he believes opens future opportunities. He dreams of becoming a professional football player in Europe, with aspirations to play for Benfica in Portugal or Real Madrid in Spain. He plans to train hard, aim for a spot in one of Pemba City's main teams, and eventually join the Mozambique national team to catch the eye of European scouts.  

“That is my dream and I try to fight for it every day, but I would also like to go to university and study architecture, or something related to construction.”

Abudo, is a member of the Chuiba host community that has received Denilson and many thousands of others who have arrived. He has gained a deep appreciation for the difficulties faced by his displaced friends.  

“I hope I never have to move. That's why we have welcomed people from outside, so that they feel integrated and can forget what they have had to suffer. Besides, it's good to have new people here. We learn and share so much with them, like languages, traditions and even football tricks!”, says Abudo.

The football has not just been of value and help to boys and young men. Girls and young women are included too.  

Elisa is a female player of the Metula team in the city of Pemba, originally from Quissanga district, another area that has seen thousands of people displaced. 

“I felt lonely upon arrival but found a sense of belonging through football. My teammates have become my new family. We do other things together beyond football, like singing and dancing.”  

Elisa dreams of studying agriculture at university. “Women can achieve anything”, she shares. 

Her teammate Mussafia, from the Metula host community, is excited to see their team growing and the relationship improving between the girls, both natives and displaced. “Our friends from other villages need support in their new home,” she says. “We learn a lot from each other.”

The young players in the Chuiba football teams have 25-year-old Rassi Nuro a native and host community member in Chuiba to thank for.  Rassi is the young man behind the creation of the football teams in Chuiba neighbourhood. In 2019 he began to witness the  influx of displaced persons from different districts in Cabo Delgado into his neighborhood. Recognizing the challenges and isolation that children and adolescents face after being forced to leave their homes, he decided to use his experience and passion for football as a tool to help integrate the new arrivals into his community.

Rassi says he’s delighted to have been able to use sport and football to help respond to the needs of displaced youth, and integrate them into the new communities they have found themselves in. 

“I want to see the Chuiba teams grow, fueled by the enthusiasm and hard work of these young players. I also believe women are just as capable as men. Through football, we are changing perceptions and coming to understand each other's realities, bringing the community together,” says Rassi.  

Sport in areas affected by displacements goes beyond mere recreation; it is a powerful tool for healing and integration, impacting social cohesion and community building.  

In Cabo Delgado, psychosocial activities such as sport serve as a platform where IDPs and host communities unite, fostering understanding, solidarity, and mutual respect.

Through its Protection – Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Community Resilience and Peacebuilding (CRP) Programmes, IOM actively supports the creation of sports teams and organizes regular tournaments bringing together dozens of different teams and players. These initiatives not only promote physical health but also build resilient communities by breaking down barriers and cultivating hope and unity. 

These activities are supported by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the Embassy of Ireland, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), The Government of Ireland, and the Government of Norway.