It was on a sun-soaked Sunday afternoon in Agadir, Morocco, where Mozambique’s “Mambas” did something only one of their country’s sides had failed to do since they first competed on the continent in 1986. Mozambique win first ever AFCON match Mozambique won their first ever Africa Cup of Nations game by defeating Gabon 3-2 in a thrilling Group F contest on December 28, 2025 — ending an agonising wait that had lasted for 39 years.
The win at the Stade Adrar offered more than three points; it was an emotional exorcism for a country that had suffered 12 defeats and four ties on Africa’s grandest stage. Inspired by the inexhaustible 42-year-old Mambas captain Elias \”Dominguês\” Pelembe, Mozambique were a model of clinical efficiency that left higher-ranked Gabon reeling.
A First-Half Blitz: The Mambas Come Out Swinging
As underdogs going into the game—Mozambique is 24 places below Gabon in FIFA rankings—they played with a show-no-respect attitude that belied their past record. The coach, Chiquinho Conde ordered his players to adopt an attacking mentality after a narrow 1-0 loss in their opening game to defending champions Ivory Coast and the response was there for all to see.
The breakthrough arrived in the 37th minute. Striker Faisal Bangal, who plies his trade in the Italian fourth tier, leapt the highest to connect with a pinpoint corner from Geny Catamo. His diving header bounced off the surface and into the corner of the net, leading to wild celebrations on the Mozambican bench.
It was all momentum for the Mambas a mere five minutes later. In a battle of the captains, Gabon’s Bruno Ecuele Manga was deemed to have tugged at Dominguês’ shirt inside the box. Sporting CP forward Geny Catamo, stepped up the other end and coolly missed into the bottom left corner to restore a two goal advantage, which stunned the “Panthers” of Gabon.
The Aubameyang Factor, and a Nervy Finish
Just when it looked as though Mozambique would head into the break with a clean sheet, Gabon’s iconic superhero Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang flexed his predator muscles. A parry by Ernan Siluane was turned in by the 36-year-old Marseille striker five minutes into first-half stoppage time to score his second and make it 2-1. It was a goal that turned Aubameyang into one of the competition’s oldest scorers, and gave the Gabonese challenge new life.
However, Mozambique refused to buckle. Seven minutes into the second half they had their two-goal advantage back. Great team goal as Witi Quembo crossed in an absolute victory and Diogo Calila scored with a “textbook” header to make the score 3-1.
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Match Timeline:
37′: Goal!Faisal Bangal (MOZ) scores with a header 1-0.
42′: Geny Catamo (MOZ) scores penalty (2-0).
45+5′: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (GAB) finishes from the rebound (2-1).
52′: Diogo Calila (MOZ) heads from a Witi cross and scores (3-1).
76′: Alex Moucketou-Moussounda (GAB) gets one back to make it 3-2, it’s not so sleepy anymore.
Gabon had pushed everyone forward for the final quarter hour. Alex Moucketou-Moussounda was able to scramble the ball home in the 76th minute to make it 3-2, but Mozambican defense marshaled by Reinildo Mandava withstood an anxious seven minutes of stoppage time.
What This Means for Group F
This outcome has made Group F one of the most interesting AFCON 2025 clusters. With three points from two games, Mozambique is now up there side by side with the giants: Ivory Coast and Cameroon (who will play their second-round game late tonight).
It’s not looking good for Gabon. Their chances of progression past the group stages are hanging by a thin thread after successive losses to Cameroon and now Mozambique. They need to win their final group game against holders Ivory Coast and be on the right side of the calculations that will determine who are the four best third-placed teams.
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A Legacy Win for “Domingues”
The story of Elias Pelembe was one of the most heartfelt in a heartwarming afternoon. The midfielder, 42, is the oldest player in the tournament and for nearly two decades has been the face of Mozambican football. After having also featured – without a win in 2010, Pelembe’s tears at the final whistle struck a chord with fans across the continent.
“We have waited too long for this,” Chiquinho Conde, in tears, said after the game. “Today these guys didn’t just play for themselves they played for every Mamba before them that couldn’t find the win. History has been made.”
Mozambiques’ adventure carries on Wednesday with a match against Cameroon in the final round of group games. But no matter what happens next, the “Class of 2025” has already made history in the national record books.
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