Mozambique edge Gabon in five-goal thriller

MOROCCO: MOZAMBIQUE staged a thrilling 3-2 victory over Gabon in a pulsating Group F encounter at the Africa Cup of Nations, keeping their hopes alive in what was an open, attacking spectacle at Adrar Stadium in Agadir, Morocco yesterday.

The win lifts Mozambique to third in the group with three points, while Gabon remains rooted to the bottom without a point.

The match burst into life in the 37th minute when Mozambique striker Faisal Bangal met Geny Catamo’s pinpoint corner with a powerful header, sending the ball crashing into the top-left corner past Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba.

The opener injected energy into the Mozambican side, and the pressure quickly paid off again. Just five minutes later, Gabon’s Bruno Manga brought down Elias Pelembe in the box as the Mozambican winger surged down the left.

Geny Catamo calmly stepped up to dispatch a left-footed penalty into the bottom-left corner, doubling Mozambique’s advantage before the break.

Gabon, however, were not done. In the dying moments of the first half, Didier Ndong’s curling effort from outside the box was brilliantly saved by Mozambique’s Ernan Siluane, only for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to pounce on the rebound and fire Gabon back into the contest.

At half-time, Mozambique led 2-1. The second half saw Mozambique maintain their intensity and their persistence was rewarded in the 52nd minute.

Joao Quembo Witi whipped in a cross from the left, and unmarked Diogo Calila rose to meet it with a superb header, sending the ball high into the centre of the net to restore a two-goal cushion.

Gabon continued to press, with Aubameyang twice coming close to reducing the deficit.

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First with a header from Denis Bouanga’s cross, then with a powerful shot from Jacques Ekomié’s pass but both attempts were denied by Siluane in goal.

Their breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute, when a corner led to a scramble in the box.

Jacques Ekomié’s shot was initially saved, but Alex MoucketouMoussounda reacted quickest to slot home from close range, giving Gabon renewed hope.

Despite their late surge, Mozambique held firm to claim a memorable 3-2 victory.

The result leaves Mozambique third in Group F with three points, having one win and one defeat, while Gabon remains pointless.

Ivory Coast and Cameroon, who faced off in a late-night clash yesterday, currently top the group, also on three points. All teams now look ahead to the decisive final group match on Wednesday