Paíto
Encyclopedia
Martinho Martins Mukana, aka Paíto (born 5 July 1982), is a Mozambican
footballer who plays for Neuchâtel Xamax
in Switzerland
, as a left defender.
, Paíto began his professional career at Sporting Clube de Portugal, in 2002–03. He became a regular in his third year and, on January 26, 2005, scored his only goal for the Lions, in a 3–3 Portuguese Cup
draw against Sport Lisboa e Benfica (penalty shootout loss), in a solo effort.
After the arrival in January 2006, on loan from Valencia CF
, of Portuguese international
Marco Caneira
, Paíto was deemed surplus to requirements and left, also loaned, to Vitória de Guimarães where he was an undisputed starter as the Minho side eventually dropped down a level.
Purchased by La Liga
side RCD Mallorca
, Paíto immediately returned to Portugal, being loaned to Sporting de Braga for the campaign's duration. Released by the Balearic Islands
without making any official appearances, he joined FC Sion
.
After three solid seasons in the Swiss Super League
, Paíto stayed in Switzerland
, signing with fellow league side Neuchâtel Xamax
.
at age 20. He was recalled in April for the 2002 COSAFA Cup
, nearly two years after his last international. Additionally, he took part in the 2003 COSAFA Cup
, the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 World Cup qualification
, the 2004 COSAFA Cup
, 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification and the 2010 World Cup qualifiers
.
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
footballer who plays for Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, as a left defender.
Club career
Born in MaputoMaputo
Maputo, also known as Lourenço Marques, is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is known as the City of Acacias in reference to acacia trees commonly found along its avenues and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It was famous for the inscription "This is Portugal" on the walkway of its...
, Paíto began his professional career at Sporting Clube de Portugal, in 2002–03. He became a regular in his third year and, on January 26, 2005, scored his only goal for the Lions, in a 3–3 Portuguese Cup
Taça de Portugal
The Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
draw against Sport Lisboa e Benfica (penalty shootout loss), in a solo effort.
After the arrival in January 2006, on loan from Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, of Portuguese international
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
Marco Caneira
Marco Caneira
Marco António Simões Caneira is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Videoton FC in Hungary. He preferably plays as a central defender, but is equally at ease on the right or the left flank....
, Paíto was deemed surplus to requirements and left, also loaned, to Vitória de Guimarães where he was an undisputed starter as the Minho side eventually dropped down a level.
Purchased by La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
side RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
, Paíto immediately returned to Portugal, being loaned to Sporting de Braga for the campaign's duration. Released by the Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
without making any official appearances, he joined FC Sion
FC Sion
FC Sion is a Swiss football team from the city of Sion. The club was founded in 1909, and play their home games at the Stade Tourbillon. They have won the Swiss Super League twice, and the Swiss Cup in each of their twelve appearances in the final, the most recent being in 2011.The first team also...
.
After three solid seasons in the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
, Paíto stayed in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, signing with fellow league side Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
.
International career
Paíto started representing MozambiqueMozambique national football team
The Mozambique national football team , popularly known as Os Mambas, represents Mozambique in association football and is controlled by the Federação Moçambicana de Futebol, the governing body for football in Mozambique...
at age 20. He was recalled in April for the 2002 COSAFA Cup
2002 COSAFA Cup
- First Round Knockout :-Quarter-Finals:Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi received byes into quarter-finals-Semi-Finals:-Final:...
, nearly two years after his last international. Additionally, he took part in the 2003 COSAFA Cup
2003 COSAFA Cup
- First Round Knock-out :-Quarter-Finals:South Africa, Malawi, Swaziland and Zambia received byes into quarter-finals-Semi-Finals:-Final:...
, the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
2006 World Cup qualification
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for Africa. 51 teams took part , competing for 5 World Cup places.The qualification was composed of two Rounds...
, the 2004 COSAFA Cup
2004 COSAFA Cup
- First Round Knock-out :-Quarter-Finals:Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and Swaziland received byes into quarter-finals-Semi-Finals:-Final:...
, 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification and the 2010 World Cup qualifiers
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)
The Confederation of African Football section of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw teams compete for five berths in the final tournament in South Africa...
.