Mozambique claimed their first Africa Cup of Nations victory in 39 years after edging Gabon 3 2 in a Group F match played on Sunday in Agadir, Morocco.
The win came through goals from Faisal Bangal, Geny Catamo and Diogo Calila, ending a long drought that had followed the Mambas since their AFCON debut in 1986, where they had drawn four matches and lost 12 without a single victory.
Played at the Moroccan coastal city of Agadir, the match saw Mozambique take control late in the first half. Bangal, who turns out for a fourth division club in Italy, opened the scoring in the 37th minute when he rose freely from a corner and powered a header into the left side of the net, leaving Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba stranded.
Five minutes later, Mozambique doubled their lead after Gabon captain Bruno Ecuele Manga pulled the shirt of Elias Domingues Pelembe inside the box. Catamo converted the resulting penalty with ease, sending Mbaba the wrong way.
Mozambique, ranked 24 places below Gabon, continued to push forward and nearly added a third before the break when Witiness Quembo struck the woodwork from distance.
Gabon responded in first half added time through their captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. The 36 year old Marseille striker tapped in after Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan Siluane failed to hold a shot from Didier Ndong.
Early in the second half, Mozambique restored their two goal cushion. Right back Diogo Calila, who plays his club football in Portugal, joined the attack and nodded in a cross from Quembo in the 52nd minute.
Aubameyang later missed a clear chance at close range as Gabon pressed for another comeback. Veteran midfielder Domingues, aged 42 and among the oldest players at the tournament, was withdrawn midway through the second half for Manuel Kambala as Mozambique sought more defensive stability.
Despite strong saves from Siluane to deny Aubameyang and Ndong, Gabon pulled another goal back in the 76th minute when Alex Moussounda fired home from close range following a corner scramble.
The result leaves Mozambique on three points in Group F alongside Cameroon and Ivory Coast, who played to a 1 1 draw later on Sunday in Marrakesh.
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