By Boris Esono Nwenfor
Mozambique recorded a landmark moment in their football history on Sunday, 28 December, after securing their first-ever victory at the Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 3-2 win over Gabon at the Stade Agadir. The result not only ended a long wait for success at the continental finals but also handed the Mambas a major boost in their quest to reach the knockout stages of the 2025 tournament.
Having failed to win any of their previous 16 matches at the Cup of Nations, Mozambique approached the Group F clash determined to rewrite history. Their intent was clear from the opening exchanges as they dominated possession, pressed high up the pitch and repeatedly unsettled a Gabon side under pressure after losing their opening group game.
The Mambas’ early dominance was eventually rewarded in the 37th minute when Faisal Bangal rose highest inside the penalty area to head home from a corner kick. Left unmarked by Gabon’s defence, Bangal peeled away to guide a precise header beyond the goalkeeper, sending the Mozambique bench into celebration.
Barely a minute later, Mozambique struck again. Captain Elias Pelembe was hauled down inside the box by Gabon defender Bruno Ecuele Manga, leaving the referee with little option but to point to the spot. Geny Catamo stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Mozambique a deserved 2-0 lead.
Just as it seemed Mozambique would head into the break firmly in control, Gabon found a lifeline in first-half stoppage time. A long-range effort from Didier Ndong was only parried by the Mozambique goalkeeper, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reacted quickest to bundle the rebound into the net, halving the deficit and keeping the Panthers in contention at the interval.
Rather than retreat after the restart, Mozambique continued to play with confidence and purpose. Their positive approach paid dividends seven minutes into the second half when Diogo Calila restored their two-goal advantage. The goal came at the end of a flowing team move, finished with a well-delivered cross that Calila met with a thumping header for his first international goal.
Gabon, however, refused to surrender. As the game opened up, the Panthers pushed men forward in search of another breakthrough and were rewarded in the 76th minute. Following sustained pressure, Alex Moucketou-Moussounda struck from close range to make it 3-2, setting up a tense finale.
The final stages were played at a frantic pace, with Gabon throwing everything at Mozambique’s defence in search of an equaliser. Despite late pressure and several dangerous moments inside their penalty area, the Mambas held their nerve, defended resolutely and ran down the clock to secure a famous victory at the final whistle.
The result lifts Mozambique to three points in Group F and keeps their hopes of qualifying for the next stage firmly alive, while Gabon remain bottom of the group without a point. The final round of group matches on December 31 will see Gabon face the defending champions, Ivory Coast, while Mozambique takes on Cameroon in what promises to be a decisive encounter.
Reflecting on the historic win, Geny Catamo, who was named TotalEnergies Man of the Match, expressed pride in his team’s achievement. “I am very proud to represent Mozambique and to have made my contribution to Mozambique’s first-ever victory at the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said. “We are proud of this win. I hope this victory will cause us to keep working and bring more wins to our country. We ask the people to continue supporting us. We can go far, and our mindset is to keep pushing on in this tournament.”
