1. Personal Background
Edson André Sitoe was born on 8 September 1988, in Maputo, Mozambique. Standing at 73 in (186 cm) and weighing 179 lb (81 kg), Mexer is a right-footed player. He began his football journey in his home country, starting his professional career with Desportivo de Maputo.
2. Club Career
Mexer's club career began in Mozambique before he moved to Europe, where he played for several clubs in Portugal, France, and Turkey, accumulating significant experience and achievements.
2.1. Early Career
Mexer started his professional career at Desportivo de Maputo in Mozambique. He played for the club from 2006 to 2010, making 97 appearances and scoring 3 goals, contributing to their success in domestic competitions.
2.2. Career in Portugal
Mexer's move to European football began in Portugal. In November 2009, he underwent trials with Sporting CP, alongside fellow Mozambican defender Zainadine Júnior. At the beginning of 2010, he officially signed with Sporting CP for a fee of 173.00 K EUR, agreeing to a two-and-a-half-year contract with an option for an additional three years.
He made his debut for Sporting's reserve team on 24 February 2010, in a Liga Intercalar match against Belenenses. In August 2010, Sporting CP sold 50% of their interests in any future transfer revenue from Mexer to Traffic Group for 87.00 K EUR. For the 2010-11 season, Mexer was loaned to Primeira Liga side Olhanense. He made his Primeira Liga debut on 11 September 2010, playing six minutes in a 0-0 draw against his parent club, Sporting. He continued on loan with Olhanense for the 2011-12 campaign, where he was a consistent presence, missing only six league matches as the team successfully maintained their top-tier status. During his time at Olhanense, he made 39 appearances without scoring.
In May 2012, Mexer moved to Nacional, another club in the Portuguese top flight, signing a four-year deal. He scored his first professional goal on 12 January 2013, netting an equalizer in a 3-2 home victory over Braga. He played 57 matches for Nacional, scoring 2 goals.
Eight years after leaving Portugal, Mexer returned to the country in August 2022, signing a one-year contract with Estoril. He made 14 appearances for the club during his tenure.
2.3. Career in France
On 19 June 2014, after an initial attempt to transfer in January, Mexer officially signed a three-year deal with French club Rennes. He quickly made an impact, scoring two goals in only his second Ligue 1 appearance on 16 August, contributing to a dominant 6-2 home victory over Evian. Despite facing consistent injuries, Mexer extended his contract with Rennes until the summer of 2019 in February 2016.
He participated in his first European competition during the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League season, where Rennes reached the last 16. A significant highlight of his career came on 27 April 2019, in the 2019 Coupe de France final against Paris Saint-Germain. Mexer played the full 120 minutes and scored the crucial 2-2 equalizer, helping his team secure a historic victory in a penalty shootout. This win marked Rennes' third Coupe de France title in their 118-year history, overcoming a two-goal deficit. During his time at Rennes, Mexer made 120 appearances and scored 5 goals.
Following the expiration of his contract with Rennes, Mexer attracted interest from Rangers of the Scottish Premiership, and even met with manager Steven Gerrard. However, he ultimately chose to remain in France, signing a four-year deal with Bordeaux on 9 May 2019. His time at Bordeaux was affected by recurrent thigh injuries during the 2020-21 season. On 26 September 2021, Mexer scored his first goal for Bordeaux, a late equalizer in a 1-1 home draw against his former club, Rennes. He played 44 matches for Bordeaux, scoring 1 goal.
2.4. Career in Turkey
On 25 July 2023, Mexer moved to Turkey, joining Bandırmaspor of the TFF First League on a two-year deal. He currently plays as a centre-back for the club.
3. International Career
Mexer has been a long-serving and integral member of the Mozambique national football team, representing his country in numerous international competitions.
3.1. Debut and Major Tournament Participation
Mexer made his debut for the Mozambique national team on 29 September 2007, in a 3-0 loss to Zambia in the semi-finals of the 2007 COSAFA Cup. In the following year's edition, he was part of the squad that reached the final and finished as runners-up, although he did not play in the final match against South Africa.
He represented Mozambique at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations held in Angola, where the team was eliminated in the group stage. He also participated in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. As of February 2024, Mexer has earned 64 caps for the national team, scoring 3 goals.
3.2. International Goals
Mexer has scored three goals for the Mozambique national team in international matches.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 May 2014 | Estádio do Zimpeto, Maputo, Mozambique | South Sudan | 2-0 | 5-0 | 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 2 | 13 October 2018 | Estádio do Zimpeto, Maputo, Mozambique | Namibia | 1-0 | 1-2 | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 3 | 14 November 2019 | Estádio do Zimpeto, Maputo, Mozambique | Rwanda | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
4. Honours
Mexer has accumulated several team honours throughout his club and international career.
4.1. Club Honours
Desportivo Maputo
- Moçambola: 2006
- Taça de Moçambique: 2006
Rennes
- Coupe de France: 2018-19
- Coupe de la Ligue: Semi-finalist 2017-18
4.2. International Honours
Mozambique
- COSAFA Cup: Runner-up 2008
5. Career Achievements and Legacy
Mexer's career is marked by his consistent performance as a centre-back across various top-tier leagues in Europe and his long-standing commitment to the Mozambique national team. His move to Portugal in 2010 represented a significant step in his professional development, leading to over 100 appearances in the Primeira Liga with clubs like Olhanense, Nacional, and Estoril.
His most notable achievement came during his time in France with Rennes, where he played a pivotal role in their historic Coupe de France victory in 2019. Scoring the equalizer in the final against Paris Saint-Germain underscored his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Across his five seasons with Rennes, he made 120 appearances, showcasing his reliability. His subsequent move to Bordeaux further solidified his presence in Ligue 1, where he accumulated 44 appearances.
Internationally, Mexer has been a cornerstone of the Mozambique national team since his debut in 2007, earning over 60 caps and contributing crucial goals. His participation in multiple Africa Cup of Nations and COSAFA Cup tournaments highlights his enduring importance to Mozambican football. His career demonstrates a journey of continuous growth and significant contributions to both club and country.