Tag: Mozambique

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AFCON 2025: Super Eagles thrash Mozambique 4-0 to reach quarter-finals

The Super Eagles have booked a place in the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals with a commanding 4–0 victory over Mozambique in their Round of 16 clash in Fès.

The Eagles started strongly, building on their perfect group stage record, having won all three matches to top Group C. Mozambique, making their first-ever appearance in the Round of 16 after finishing as one of the best third-placed teams in Group F, struggled to cope with Nigeria’s pace and attacking threat.

The Super Eagles took an early lead in the 20th minute when Ademola Lookman converted an assist from Akor Adams. Victor Osimhen doubled the advantage five minutes later, before Lookman set up Osimhen again in the 47th minute to make it three. Adams Akor completed the scoring with Nigeria’s fourth in the 75th minute.

Wilfred Ndidi captained the midfield alongside Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, while Stanley Nwabali returned in goal. The back four of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi kept Mozambique at bay throughout the match.

Substitutions in the second half saw Paul Onuachu and Samuel Chukwueze replace Adams Akor and Lookman, while Onyeka and Ndidi were replaced by Tom Dele Bashiru and Onyedika as Chelle refreshed his midfield. Moses Simon also came on for Osimhen.

By the 80th minute, Nigeria had registered eight shots on target, while Mozambique had yet to test Nwabali.

With the win, Nigeria advance to the quarter-finals, maintaining their momentum as they chase a fourth AFCON title. They will face the winners of the match between Algeria and Congo DR. (Punch)

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Mozambique beat Gabon 3–2 to end 39-year AFCON win drought

Mozambique ended a 39-year wait for a first Africa Cup of Nations victory by defeating Gabon 3-2 in a Group F thriller in Agadir on Sunday.

The Mambas began the match having drawn four and lost 12 since making their first of six appearances at the tournament in 1986.

Goals from Faisal Bangal, Geny Catamo and Diogo Calila won a seesaw struggle for the Mozambicans, who led 2-1 at halftime in the Moroccan coastal city.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Moussounda netted for Gabon, who twice halved two-goal deficits before suffering a second straight loss after falling to Cameroon.

Defending champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon, who meet later on Sunday in Marrakesh, and Mozambique have three points each.

Catamo had the first clear-cut chance but was let down by poor control, allowing the ball to run too far in front of him and goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba dashed forward to gain possession.

Mozambique — 24 places below Gabon in the world rankings — were more adventurous and deservedly took the lead on 37 minutes through Bangal, a striker with an Italian fourth division club.

Bangal rose unchallenged from a corner, and his header bounced off the ground into the left corner of the net with Mbaba helpless.

Mozambique increased their lead just five minutes later after Bruno Ecuele Manga pulled the shirt of Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe in a clash of the rival captains.

Catamo calmly placed the penalty into the left corner as Mbaba dived in the opposite direction.

The Mambas almost scored again soon after, with Witiness ‘Witi’ Quembo bending a shot from outside the box that struck the woodwork.

Gabon pulled one goal back five minutes into the first-half added time through their best-known footballer, 36-year-old Marseille striker Aubameyang.

The 2015 African player of the year was perfectly positioned to tap the ball into the net after Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan Siluane failed to grasp a Didier Ndong shot.

Portugal-based right-back Calila scored the third Mozambique goal on 52 minutes, venturing forward to nod a Witi cross past Mbaba.

Aubameyang had a scoring chance soon after, but headed wide from point-blank range in a let-off for the Mozambicans.

Domingues, a 42-year-old and second-oldest footballer to play at an AFCON, was substituted midway through the second half by a more defensive midfielder, Manuel Kambala.

Siluane saved superbly from Aubameyang and Ndong, but a subsequent corner led to a goalmouth melee that ended with Moussounda slamming the ball into the net on 76 minutes to set up a tense finish. (Punch)