Mozambique secured an enthralling 3-2 victory over Gabon in Agadir to claim their first-ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – ending an unwanted record that had seen the Mambas fail to come out on top in any of their first 16 games played at the finals.
The result gives Chiquinho Conde’s side a great chance of reaching the knockout stage for the first time but is a hammer blow to Gabon’s hopes after they also lost their opening Group F match to Cameroon.
Faisal Bangal’s header from a corner and Geny Catamo’s penalty looked to have put Mozambique in complete control until Gabon talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pounced on a rebound during first-half added time to pull one back for the Panthers.
Rampaging right-back Diogo Calila headed in early in the second period to restore Mozambique’s two-goal advantage, before Alex Moucketou-Moussounda found himself in the right place at the right time to tuck home a loose ball from a corner.
That set up a thrilling last 20 minutes, with both teams throwing everything into an absorbing contest.
The result leaves the team ranked 102nd in the world sitting third in Group F, level on points with both leaders Ivory Coast and Cameroon, who meet in Marrakesh later on Sunday (20:00 GMT).
Gabon will have to beat Ivory Coast in their final match in Marrakesh on Wednesday to have a chance of making it through, with Mozambique taking on Cameroon in Agadir at the same time (19:00 GMT).
