AFCON 2025: Historic win for Mozambique over Gabon

A real sledgehammer. Back to the wall after their inaugural defeat against Cameroon, expectations were high for Gabon ahead of their second group game against Mozambique.


Gabon's premature start to the game
However led by Aubameyang, Lemina and Babicka all starters at the kick-off this time, Thierry Mouyouma’s men seemed far from mastering their subject and especially showed a face very distant from the team that made a solid qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. And it is logically that the Mozambicans took advantage of it early on, led by a very prominent Geny Catamo. On his side, Guimares just missed an assist for Witi who would have only had to push the ball into the empty goal (30').

No-cost warning for the Gabonese who were responding timidly on a shot from Bouanga (35th). But by letting the Mambas gain confidence, the sanction arrived shortly. Strangely alone, Bangal scored a winning header to open the scoring (0-1, 37'). And if the fans of the Panthers rather expected a reaction from their team, they were disillusioned when seeing their team sink further moments later.


Captain Ecuele Manga, in difficulty since the beginning of the game, was guilty of a give away in the penalty area after a poor control. The irresistible Catamo immediately corrects the move with Mozambique's second goal (0-2, 42nd).

Aubameyang turns the flame back on.
On the edge of the abyss, Gabon was once again relying on Aubameyang. The striker from Olympique de Marseille was more quick to pick up at point blank range a shot from Ndong repelled by Siluane (1-2, 45th+5). A goal full of promises just before the break  for Gabon. Mouyouma was making a triple change after the break. As a symbol, Ecuele Manga and Babicka were replaced. 

But it was the Mozambicans who were driving the point home. Ideally served on a cross from Witi, Diogo Calila passed Mbaba on a new headbutt (1-3, 52').  Aubameyang had the ball for the double, but inexplicably missed the target with a cross from Bouanga (56th). Gabon's believe is spiked in the game with less than a quarter to go. The Gabonese efforts were however rewarded in the process, with Mouckettou-Moussounda propelling the ball to the back of the net after a mistake on the corner (2-3, 77th).

Mozambique threw in a collective defensive effort to manage and maintain the scoreboard till fulltime. Three points for them and their first victory means a draw against Cameroon on the last day could heighten their chances of making it to the last 16 of the competition. This defaet could precipitate Gabon's exit from the competition.