Faizal Abdul Bangal of Mozambique celebrates goal with teammates during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Mozambique and Gabon at the Adrar Stadium, Agadir on the 28 December 2025 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sunday Dec 28, 2025. 16:06
In what was one of the most exciting matches at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations this weekend, Mozambique added their name to the winning column for the first time in their history after bagging a thrilling 3-2 victory over Gabon at Stade Adrar in Group F on Sunday afternoon.
Gabon produced the first attack of the match in the second minute while Mozambique were against the ropes early on.
Witi looked lively for Os Mambas during the first 10 minutes, while Elias Pelembe sniffed out chances inside the 18-yard-area. Gabon settled on the ball once more as Mozambique waited to pounce in transition.
Os Mambas tallied up the goal scoring opportunities count leading up to the 30th minute mark with Edson Mexer on the end of wayward shots outside the area.
Mozambique then took the lead through Faizal Bangal following a corner kick in the 37th minute. Os Mambas broke the dealock following a sustained bit of a pressure as Bangal found himself unmarked inside the area to guide the ball home with ease.
Mozambique doubled their advantage moments before the break as Geny Catamo converted a spot kick by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, after Pelembe was brought down in the box.
Gabon drew one back during stoppage time of the first-half with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on hand to guide home a parried effort by the goalkeeper which came after a thunderous shot by Didier N’Dong from range.
Mozambique scored their third goal moments after the restart following a bit of magic by Witi on the left flank. With Diogo Calila bombing forward, the right back slotted the ball home with a textbook header inside the dangerzone.
Aubameyang managed to get his name on the scoresheet once more in the 76th minute via a tap in from a corner situation. As both sets of players scrambled for the ball, the vastly experienced striker found himself in the right place at the right time.
However, Aubameyang’s effort proved to be too little too late as Mozambique managed to hold on to secure their first ever win at the AFCON.
Gabon: (1) 2 (Aubameyang 49’, 76’)
Mozambique: (2) 3 (Bangal 37’, Catamo 42’, Calila 51’)
Gabon: Mbaba, Ekomie, Lemina, Ecuele (Onifa 46’), Oyono (Moucketou-Moussounda 46’), Kanga, N’Dong, Poko, Bouanga (Essang-Matouti 79’), Aubameyang, Babicka (Openda 46’)
Mozambique: Ernan, Calila (Infren 84’), Mexer, Mandava, Langa, Guima, Amade, Catamo, Domingues (Kambala 64’), Witi (Lourenco 63’), Bangal (Chamboco 79’)