By Mishael Emmanuel
Mozambique finally made history at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco by winning their first ever match since their debut in 1986.
A thrilling 3-2 victory in Agadir handed the Mambas their first-ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations since debuting in 1986, a landmark moment powered by fearless attacking and veteran leadership.
Goals from Faisal Bangal, Geny Catamo and Diogo Calila sealed a deserved triumph that will echo through Mozambican football history.
At the heart of it all was 42-year-old winger Elias Pelembe, rolling back the years and pulling the strings as Mozambique outplayed and outworked their more fancied opponents.
For Gabon, the day was another gut punch.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Moucketou Moussounda struck to keep the Panthers alive, but defensive lapses proved costly as they slumped to a second straight defeat in Group F.
The math is now brutal. Mozambique move onto three points, level with heavyweights Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon while Gabon remain rooted to the bottom with zero.
If the later clash between Cote d’ivoire and Cameroon ends in a draw, Gabon’s tournament will be all but over before it truly began.
Even if they survive the arithmetic, the road ahead is unforgiving, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire await on Wednesday.
Mozambique, once AFCON’s perennial nearly-men, are suddenly dreamers. Gabon, meanwhile, are staring into the abyss and time is fast running out.
