Mozambique ended a 40-year AFCON winless streak with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Gabon, marking a historic milestone for the Mambas
Mozambique ended nearly four decades of frustration at the Africa Cup of Nations by securing a thrilling 3-2 victory over Gabon in a Group F match on Sunday in Agadir, Morocco.
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Before this encounter, Mozambique had competed in six AFCON tournaments since 1986, recording four draws and twelve losses without ever winning.
Sunday’s triumph marks the Mambas’ first-ever victory at the continental championship.
Goals from Faisal Bangal, Geny Catamo, and Diogo Calila powered Mozambique, with the team holding a 2-1 lead at halftime.
“This is a historic day for Mozambican football,” a jubilant team official said.
“Our players showed courage, skill, and determination to make history.”
Despite entering the match 24 places below Gabon in the FIFA rankings, Mozambique gradually asserted control.
Catamo created the first major opportunity, but poor ball control allowed Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to recover.
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute when Bangal, a striker playing in Italy’s fourth division, rose unchallenged from a corner to head the ball into the net.
Five minutes later, Mozambique extended their lead through a penalty converted by Catamo after a shirt pull on Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe by Bruno Ecuele Manga.
Gabon responded in first-half stoppage time when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored following a rebound after goalkeeper Ernan Siluane failed to hold a Didier Ndong shot.
Mozambique restored their two-goal advantage in the 52nd minute through Portugal-based right-back Diogo Calila, following a Witi cross.
A tense finish saw Aubameyang miss a close-range header, while Siluane made multiple key saves.
Gabon’s Alex Moussounda scored in the 76th minute, but Mozambique held on for the historic win.
The victory sees Mozambique join defending champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon, who play later on Sunday in Marrakesh, on three points each in Group F.
Notably, Domingues, 42, became the second-oldest player to feature at AFCON, demonstrating the experience that helped guide the Mambas to their first triumph in the tournament.
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With this morale-boosting win, Mozambique has sent a strong message, proving that perseverance and teamwork can overcome long-standing challenges on Africa’s biggest football stage.
