Mozambique end 39-year wait with stunning AFCON win over Gabon
Mozambique ended a 39-year wait for their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory on Sunday, producing a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Gabon in a thrilling Group F clash at Agadir’s Stade Adrar. The Mambas, who had previously drawn four times and lost twelve since their AFCON debut in 1986, finally broke through thanks to goals from Faisal Bangal, Geny Catamo, and Diogo Calila.
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Despite being ranked 24 places below Gabon in the FIFA standings, Mozambique played with courage and composure. Bangal opened the scoring in the 37th minute, rising unchallenged to meet a corner and sending a powerful header into the left corner past Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba.
Just five minutes later, Mozambique doubled their advantage after a clash in the penalty area saw Bruno Ecuele Manga pull the shirt of Mambas captain Elias “Domingues” Pelembe. Catamo stepped up and coolly converted the resulting penalty, placing the ball into the bottom-left corner as Mbaba dived the wrong way.
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Mozambique continued to threaten, with Witiness “Witi” Quembo hitting the post from a curling long-range effort, but Gabon responded before halftime. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the 2015 African Player of the Year, tapped in after goalkeeper Ernan Siluane failed to hold a Didier Ndong shot, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
The second half began with more drama, as Portugal-based right-back Diogo Calila scored Mozambique’s third in the 52nd minute, heading home a precise cross from Witi. Gabon pushed for a comeback, but Aubameyang’s close-range header went wide, offering Mozambique a lifeline.
Domingues, the 42-year-old veteran and second-oldest player in AFCON history, was replaced midway through the second half by defensive midfielder Manuel Kambala, allowing Mozambique to protect their lead more effectively. Siluane produced several key saves to deny Aubameyang and Ndong, but Gabon scored again in the 76th minute through Alex Moussounda, setting up a tense finish.
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Despite Gabon’s late pressure, Mozambique held firm to claim a historic victory, leaving the Mambas with three points in Group F, level with defending champions Cameroon and Ivory Coast, who face off later in Marrakesh.
Ugandan fans of the tournament and AFCON history watchers will remember this day as the moment Mozambique finally tasted continental success, ending decades of near-misses and heartbreaks at Africa’s premier football festival.
SportsLigue