Gabon are facing an early exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after slipping to a 3-2 defeat to Mozambique in their Group F clash in Agadir, Morocco, which ended a 40-year wait for a victory at the continental soccer finals for the southern African side.
Gabon have now lost their first two games while Mozambique have three points from their two fixtures, the same number as Ivory Coast and Cameroon, who meet later this Sunday. If that match ends in a draw, Gabon will be eliminated.
Mozambique scored their goals via Faisal Bangal, Geny Catamo and Diogo Calila in a deserved victory in which they were led by 42-year-old winger Elias Pelembe. It is their first win at the continental finals at the 17th attempt since their debut in 1986.
Gabon stayed in the contest to the end as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Moucketou-Moussounda netted goals, but back-to-back defeats mean their hopes of reaching the Round of 16 were hanging by a thread with a match against defending champions Ivory Coast on Wednesday.
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