By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, December 28 2025 - Mozambique made history at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, earning their first-ever AFCON victory with a thrilling 3–2 win over Gabon in a Group F encounter at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir on Sunday. The result was a landmark moment for the Mambas and keeps their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive.
The visitors took the lead in the 37th minute when Faisal Bangal rose unmarked inside the box to head home from a pinpoint delivery, giving Mozambique an early advantage and sparking celebrations among the travelling fans. Five minutes later, Mozambique doubled their lead from the penalty spot after Geny Catamo was brought down in the area, and he calmly converted, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2–0 before halftime.
Despite going two goals down, Gabon responded almost immediately. Just before the interval, veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang capitalised on a rebound after a shot from Didier Ndong was parried by Mozambique’s goalkeeper, pulling one back deep in first-half added time and giving his side renewed momentum.
Mozambique struck again shortly after the break to restore their two-goal cushion. In the 52nd minute, right-back Diogo Calila met a perfect cross from winger Witi, nodding home to make it 3–1 and once again put the Mambas in control.
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Gabon refused to surrender, and Alex Moussounda pulled a goal back in the 77th minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box after a corner to set up a tense finale. But despite Gabon’s late surge and pressure in the closing stages, Mozambique held on to secure a memorable victory, one that ends a 39-year wait for an AFCON win and marks the nation’s first triumph in the tournament since its debut in 1986.
The result also shakes up Group F, with Mozambique now on three points and level with defending champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon, who both also have three points early in the group. Gabon, on the other hand, sit without a point after two matches and will need a strong response in their final group fixture
