During the ceremony, Nyusi stated that Coluna was a shining star in the history of Mozambican sports and a role model for young athletes, saying, "The people of Mozambique will always remember him." The Vice President of the Portuguese Football Federation, Humberto Coelho, remarked that Coluna was an undisputed leader of the team and an outstanding player during his lifetime. Benfica Club President Vieira stated that Coluna was not only a pride of Benfica but also a pride of world football, and one of the genius players of his era.
Coluna passed away last week due to a lung infection and died on the evening of the 25th, at the age of 78. Mozambique had previously announced a national day of mourning for Coluna on the 28th, with government institutions and embassies flying flags at half-mast.
Coluna had played alongside the Mozambican-born Portuguese star "Black Panther" Eusébio at Benfica and the Portugal national team, the latter of whom passed away on January 5 of this year. Coluna made 677 appearances for Benfica, scoring 150 goals, and helped the team win the European Cup twice in 1961 and 1962, as well as 10 Portuguese league championship trophies. During his time as captain of the Portugal national team, he led the team to a third-place finish in the 1966 World Cup.
Unlike Eusébio, who was also born in Mozambique, Coluna chose to return to his homeland at the end of his career, serving as the coach of the Mozambique national team and as the president of the football association.
