Mozambique secured their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory with a 3-2 win over Gabon in a lively Group F match played in Agadir on Sunday, ending a 39-year wait for success at the tournament.
The Mambas went into the fixture with a long winless record at AFCON, having drawn four matches and lost 12 since their debut appearance in 1986. That run came to an end after goals from Faisal Bangal, Geny Catamo and Diogo Calila earned them a deserved victory.
Mozambique led 2-1 at halftime after an energetic first-half display in the Moroccan coastal city. Gabon responded twice through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Moussounda but were unable to avoid a second consecutive defeat, following their earlier loss to Cameroon.
Defending champions Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mozambique now all have three points, with Ivory Coast and Cameroon scheduled to meet later on Sunday in Marrakesh.
Catamo created the first clear opening of the match but failed to control the ball, allowing Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to rush out and smother the chance. Despite being ranked 24 places below Gabon, Mozambique played with greater intent and were rewarded in the 37th minute.
Bangal, who plays club football in Italy’s fourth tier, rose unmarked at a corner and powered a header into the left corner after the ball bounced off the turf, leaving Mbaba with no chance.
The lead was doubled five minutes later when Gabon captain Bruno Ecuele Manga was penalised for pulling the shirt of his opposite number, Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe. Catamo converted the resulting penalty with a calm finish, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Mozambique nearly added a third before the break when Witiness ‘Witi’ Quembo struck the woodwork with a curling effort from outside the area.
Gabon reduced the deficit in first-half stoppage time through Aubameyang. The former African Footballer of the Year tapped in from close range after Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan Siluane failed to hold a shot from Didier Ndong.
Calila restored Mozambique’s two-goal cushion seven minutes after the restart, heading in a Witi cross after pushing forward from right-back. Aubameyang soon had a chance to respond but headed wide from close range.
Veteran midfielder Domingues, aged 42, was withdrawn midway through the second half as Mozambique opted for a more defensive approach, introducing Manuel Kambala.
Siluane produced a pair of fine saves to deny Aubameyang and Ndong, but pressure from a corner eventually told. Moussounda reacted quickest in a crowded penalty area to fire home on 76 minutes, setting up a nervy final spell.
Mozambique, however, held firm to claim a historic victory and keep their qualification hopes alive.
