Gabon 2-3 Mozambique result - Mozambique make AFCON history, clinching thrilling 3-2 victory over Gabon

Underdogs Mozambique held up under pressure to emerge from a thrilling AFCON match with Gabon with their chances of advancing to the last 16 very much alive. Twice the East Africans went two goals up against Gabon and held on for a 3-2 win despite conceding late in both halves.

The Mambas had the better of an action-packed, high-energy first half. 

The bubbling came to a boil on 38 minutes, when an unmarked Faisal Bangal ghosted into the box and connected with Geny Catamo’s inswinging corner. 

His downward header gave Mozambique a deserved lead, which they doubled from the penalty spot three minutes later. 

Gabon’s defence was in disarray and when Bruno Manga lost Domingues Pelembe as he was running into the box and the defender made the foolish decision to reach for the player’s shirt. The referee had no choice but to award a penalty, which Catamo dispatched low and left.

The match could have been all over moments later when Witi curled a beautiful effort towards goal from range but the woodwork denied Mozambique a three-goal half-time lead. 

Instead, Gabon got one back, deep into stoppage time. The previously quiet Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leapt on a shot from Didier N’dong that was parried into his path by Mozambique keeper Ernan, putting Gabon back in the game when they could have been completely out of it.

Into the second half, as Gabon looked to equalise early, it was Mozambique who scored a third on 53 minutes. A sensational left wing cross by Witi was met by a well-directed header from right-back Diogo Calila, who ran in unmarked and rose high to meet it.
Gabon composed themselves and made chances. A brilliant double save from Ernan maintained the two-goal lead, before Gabon got their second on 77 minutes from a corner as substitute Alex Moucketou-Moussounda tapped home after a goalmouth scramble.
Gabon had given themselves too much to do, however, and the equaliser never came, as Mozambique clinched their first-ever victory in the African Cup of Nations at the 17th time of asking.

And time for one last shot for Mozambique, but Mbaba just gets a foot to it.

But it's over the bar.

Easily gathered by Ernan. Mozambique are almost over the line.

But who on the pitch has the energy? They've run themselves ragged.

It was a really well worked move that Catamo put past the Gabon keeper, but a fellow forward had just strayed offside.

The referee judged the goalkeeper to have made a bit too much of his injury. He does seem to be in some difficulty though, and he's gone down again after kicking the ball upfield.

Replaced by Nanani for Mozambique

Fernando Chamboco is brought on for Bangal just to lock down that defence.

That's the one they needed as the substitue meets the corner with a rocket of a right foot rebound from a goalmouth scramble. Another great save from the Mozambique keeper before, but he can't do anything about that one. This game is far from over, even as there's not much time left.

First from Aubameyang who was through, then the follow-up from Openda.

But they're increasingly indecisive, even as they're beginning to look desperate.

But it's too close to the byline and he can't do anything with it.

Within range for Gabon.

He snatched at it and it's not quite hard enough or directed to trouble the Gabon keeper.

The captain, Domingues Pelembe is replaced by Manuel Kambala, while Gildo comes on for Witi.

But they really needed it to happen sooner. They're not in the last chance saloon yet, but they don't have long.

His run was smart, his timing was good, his positioning was perfect, all he had to do was direct N'dong's cross towards goal. He holds his head in his hands. He knows he should have done better.

Mouyouma wanted his team to score early in this 45, instead Gabon have conceded another.