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).

Both teams needed a win after Gabon’s 1-0 defeat against Cameroon and Mozambique’s loss to holders Ivory Coast by the same scoreline.

Afcon 2025 is the Mambas’ sixth appearance at the finals since making their debut in 1986, and they headed into this tournament with a record of five draws and 10 defeats.

But the squad has made steady progress under Conde since his appointment in October 2021, reaping the rewards of that stability by making it back-to-back qualifications for the first time since 1998.

They were the better side throughout the first half, with Sporting CP winger Catamo’s heavy touch wasting an excellent chance when clean through and Sunderland defender Reinildo heading wide from a corner before Bangal’s opener finally arrived when he was left unmarked from another set piece in the 37th minute.

Gabon’s ham-fisted defending put them in trouble again when captain Bruno Ecuele Manga had his pocket picked by Domingues before clearly pulling the 42-year-old’s shirt in his attempt to prevent a run at goal.

Catamo calmly dispatched the penalty, sending Loyce Mbaba the wrong way in the 42nd minute.

Witi almost made it three for Mozambique during first-half added time, striking the angle of post and bar with a curler from distance before Aubameyang’s intervention.

The Marseille striker, who started this match after coming on as an early substitute against Cameroon, had been relatively anonymous until finding himself in the right spot to use almost the final kick of the half to turn home a poor parry from goalkeeper Ernan Siluane, who should have done better with Ibrahim Ndong’s drive.

Ecuele Manga, who was booked for his challenge on Domingues, made way as part of a triple change by Gabon at half-time, but substitute Moucketou-Moussounda was unable to prevent Witi from surging past him to supply Mozambique’s third goal seven minutes after the interval.

Calila arrived perfectly on time to head home the beautiful delivery – and it felt like either side could score again at any moment.

Aubameyang, 36, wasted a good headed chance just three minutes later before Moucketou-Moussounda popped up in the right place with 14 minutes of normal time remaining.

Siluane, who had just pulled off a fantastic double save, managed to keep out Jacques Ekomie’s effort as the ball dropped from a corner, but could not prevent the defender poking home in the ensuing scramble.

Former Wolves and Fulham midfielder Mario Lemina, who started the game at centre-back but was pushed forward as Gabon fought for an equaliser, flicked a near-post header too close to Siluane, while at the other end Catamo saw an effort ruled out for offside after his strike flicked off a team-mate on its way in and had a shot saved with a foot by Mbaba.

It ultimately did not matter as Mozambique tamed the Panthers to create their own bit of history, giving themselves a good chance of extending their stay In Morocco. (BBC)

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