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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 half-time 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&nbsp, 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.

READ ALSO: &nbsp, Late Penalty Miss Denies Uganda AFCON Win Against Tanzania

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.

Sudan boosted their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations after a Saul Coco own goal gave them a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

Unlucky Torino centre-back Coco saw the ball come off him and ricochet into the net in the 74th minute in Casablanca when his teammate Luis Asue attempted to clear a Sudan free-kick.

Sudan won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1970 but this is just their second victory in 18 matches across six appearances at the tournament since then.

They lie 117th in the FIFA world rankings, compared to Equatorial Guinea in 97th.

READ ALSO: &nbsp, Late Penalty Miss Denies Uganda AFCON Win Against Tanzania

The win leaves Kwesi Appiah’s team on three points from two games in Group E, while Equatorial Guinea have lost both matches so far.

Sudan are competing at this AFCON in Morocco despite the country having been devastated since war broke out between the army and rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023.

They will play Burkina Faso in their last group game on Wednesday and will be aiming to reach the knockout stages of the Cup of Nations for just the second time since that 1970 triumph — they got to the quarter-finals in 2012 before losing to eventual winners Zambia.

The Super Eagles won Group C at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) game against Nigeria and Tunisia to seal a nervy 3-2 victory. &nbsp,

The Super Eagles and Carthage Eagles squared off in an AFCON for the seventh time.

Tunisia won once, and Nigeria won three. Following penalty shootouts, each nation won one of the two meetings.

The Super Eagles will want to keep their 100 percent record, but with the win, they are guaranteed top spot in Group C. Tunisia is aware that a draw will be sufficient to secure their spot as second-place.

Lessons from the match between Tunisia and Nigeria

Six things can be learned from Nigeria and Tunisia, as follows. &nbsp,

The Masterclass picture by Mola. twitter.com/66ImeWYRzg

The Super Eagles dominated the Tunisian defense with effective interplay between Adams and Osimhen, approaching the game like a team with a mission. Iwobi was a key player for the three-time African champions because of Frank Onyeka’s addition in midfield and his freedom to roam.

A Shaky Defense

The Tunisians did a near-perfect game in the late stages of the match, with the Super Eagles restricting the Carthaginian Eagles to half-chances that Stanley Nwabali did not trouble in goal in the first 70 minutes.

Bruno Oyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel were left anxious by the late pressure, so they needed to rely on Calvin Bassey’s brute strength to save them from blushes.

Read more about Late Penalty Miss’s Deny Uganda’s AFCON victory over Tanzania

Osimhen demonstrates aerial skill

The Galatasaray point man was desperate to get on the scoresheet in Nigeria’s previous encounter with Tanzania.

His header from an Akor Adams cross appeared to have flown in the same direction, but his header was only good enough to graze the top of the net. His persistence, however, paid off when he was Ademola Lookman’s cross was defeated by Aymen Dahmen with ease.

Moroccan Soaring by Lookman

Lookman, the man of the match, scored the game’s opening goal as Osimhen opened the scoring.

For a player who has struggled to maintain consistency throughout 2025. In this tournament, Lookman seems to have found his groove. The Atalanta man scored two goals and added two assists in the World Cup qualifiers for 2026, which many had hoped would happen.

His goal was well-taken to put him on the score sheet and increase Nigeria’s lead, but his crosses into the 18-yard box caused some concern for the Tunisians.

Midfield cohesion

Skippo is referencing the image from the “96 Spirit” series. twitter.com/TD2XVBoC9p

Fans and pundits had doubts about the team’s imagination and perseverance heading into the tournament. However, Wilfred Ndidi, Iwobi, and Onyeka are all capable of having a good understanding.

Iwobi, who plays for Fulham, was the middle-field trio’s star, pulling the strings and dictating play from the beginning. While the Captain Ndidi demanded the strength and stability of a person wearing an arm band, Onyeka displayed the strength and stability.

Nwabali Must Take a New berth

Many people would have assumed that Stanley Nwabali’s mistakes would no longer exist.

The Nigerian could have done better with Tunisia’s opening goal of the night, but the Chippa United man had other things in store. At times throughout the match, his communication with the defense line was questioned.

Knockouts were resolved, and priorities were changed

After beating Tunisia 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at Fez Stadium on Saturday, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were able to advance to the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman gave the Super Eagles a 3-3 lead before the Super Eagles could cruise to victory.

In the top-of-the-table Group C encounter, Tunisia refused to concede, and Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi scored to set up a tense conclusion.

In the seventh minute of added time, Tunisia had two chances to equalize, but Ferjani Sassi’s header and Ismael Gharbi’s shot were both just off target.

With the final group game set for Tuesday, Nigeria will have six points, Tunisia will have three, and Tanzania will have one.

Read more about Late Penalty Miss’s Deny Uganda’s AFCON victory over Tanzania

The Super Eagles and Carthage Eagles squared off in an AFCON for the seventh time.

Tunisia and Nigeria both won once. Following penalty shootouts, each nation won one of the two meetings.

After falling far short of what they needed in the opening round, Nigeria turned heads in the first 30 minutes of play in Tunisia.

Tunisia had to fight back against the three-time champions frequently, especially in aerial duels, while Osimhen excelled.

The Galatasaray striker, who is sporting his signature mask, headed just over after nine minutes before rising to meet a corner kick.

After 17 minutes, Osimhen was awarded an offside penalty. The 2023 African player of the year was filmed on big-screen replays before his run was too early.

Furious Mejbri, &nbsp

After reacting furiously when a Nigerian made a foul throw and flung the ball into the ground, Tunisia midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was fortunate to escape a yellow card for dissent.

Osimhen left the pitch temporarily so that the medical staff could spray a shot to his leg after another headed goal attempt.

On 32 minutes, Tunisia finally forced a corner after breaking out of a defensive shell. The ball was returned to Abdi after the set-piece, and his shot soared well over.

The goalless deadlock was broken after 44 minutes with Osimhen, unavoidably the scorer, in a number of Tunisian raids that produced no results.

Two former African players of the year, Lookman and Osimhen, both advancing past the halfway point, crossed the ball and drilled into the net with a powerful header from Talbi.

Nigeria increased their lead to two goals just five minutes into the second half, again exposing the defense’s aerial weaknesses.

Lookman, the Atalanta striker, soared a corner into the goalmouth where Ndidi soared to beat goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen for his first international goal.

Lookman scored the third goal on 67 minutes after Osimhen had already set up the first two goals. Before slamming the ball off the post, he had some control over the situation.

With 16 minutes left, Tunisia won the game. After a successful aerial battle, Talbi free-kick-directed into the net for the North Africans.

At the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, Uganda’s Allan Okello was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against his country’s neighbor, Tanzania.

After Uche Ikpeazu scored a late equaliser for the Cranes in front of 10, 540 fans at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium, Okello’s failure to convert from the spot gave Uganda a priceless victory in Group C.

Before that, it appeared as though Tanzania, which has lost all but 10 of its previous AFCON matches, might finally win when Simon Msuva scored from the penalty spot.

With 10 minutes left, Ikpeazu, who plays for St Johnstone in the Scottish second division, headed in a cross from fellow substitute Denis Omedi to bring the score level.

“I feel terrible because I don’t believe this draw was merited.” Coach Paul Put of Uganda, “I believe we had more opportunities.”

He remarked about the missed penalty, saying, “That is also football.”

The regional rivals, who will host the 2027 Cup of Nations with Kenya in addition, have little chance of making it to Group C’s last 16 due to their stalemate.

AFCON 2025: Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ Eye Revenge Against Tunisia — Kickoff Time, Team News, READ ALSO.

Both teams are currently tied for one point after two matches, with Tunisia and Nigeria facing off in Fes on Saturday.

Despite their best efforts, Put’s team will face Nigeria on the next day.

Uganda, who have won just one AFCON championship game win in three games since 1978’s final, came closest to scoring in the first half.

Rogers Mato’s head hit a left-angled Aziz Kayondo cross, which bounced back after the effort fell off the crossbar.

Just before the hour mark, Alphonce Msanga’s shot struck the arm of Ugandan Baba Alhassan, who was awarded a spot-kick.

The seasoned Msuva, who plays for club football in Iraq, was unaffected when he first started scoring goals at three different AFCON competitions.

However, Tanzania wasted the lead after a dramatic end to the game in the midst of a pouring downpour before breathing a great sigh of relief as Uganda missed a chance to win.

When James Bogere fell as his shirt was pulled by Tanzania defender Haji Mnoga of Salford City, Ikpeazu won the penalty and the game was 1-1.

Okello stepped up just before the 90th minute when the game was in the 90th, perhaps offended by a massive thunderclap that sent his kick over the bar.

Coach Miguel Angel Gamondi expressed his disappointment with the outcome, “We tried to win the game but we could have lost it in the final five minutes.”

“I’m sorry for everyone in Tanzania,” the hosts said after their first victory at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria faced Tunisia in its second game, with the prospect of second-round qualification, after defeating Tanzania 2-1 in the opening Group C match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman’s goals secured their team’s 3-2 victory over Tunisia and passage to the round of 16 elimination.

The 2025 AFCON between Nigeria and Tunisia was broadcast live on Channels Television. Thank you for joining us for a game-by-blow overview.

87′ GOAL! Abdi scores for Tunisia at 3-2.

Tunisia is one goal away from drawing level when Abdi kicks the ball into the top-right corner of the goal from the penalty spot. Tunisia was given a penalty by the referee after the ball was handled in the penalty area.

75′ GOAL! Nigeria wins 3-1 in Gujarat.

Mejbri sent the ball into the box after Tunisia won a free kick on the left.

Gharbi directed the ball toward the far post after it reached him. Nwabali was sent into the net after the deflection went wrong.

67′ GOAL! Lookman Scores: Tunisia 3-0, Nigeria

In Fez, Nigeria are undisputed leaders. Iwobi threads a fine pass to Osimhen to the right, which is the result of a well-executed team move.

Osimhen hurries into the box and swayes to Lookman to the left. Lookman makes a short movement toward the left post before deflecting the ball into the net with plenty of room.

50′ GOAL! Nigeria defeated Tunisia 2-0.

A left-handed Nigerian corner was won. Lookman headed the ball into the net, where it was found by Ndidi, who slammed it deftly past Dahmen.

Ndidi’s first international goal came right away, and his teammates immediately surrounded him. Nigeria appears to be on a strong course to make it to Round 16

46 Second half is underway.

Tunisia 1-0 at half-time.

44′ GOAL! Tunisia vs. Nigeria: Osimhen gives them the lead with a score of 1-0.

Victor Osimhen finally ends his AFCON 2025 goal drought!

A stunning cross from Lookman to the left made the connection between the Galatasaray striker. Osimhen perfectly timed his run, heading past Dahmen at the far post.

As teammates embraced him in joy, he immediately ran out and celebrated. Nigeria deserved the victory, and it will approach the break with confidence.

Tunisia is 36′ Growing into the Match

The North Africans are beginning to assert themselves after a quiet first 30 minutes.

On the right edge of the box, Abdi sends a ball over the top to Mastouri, who then attempts a chip into the danger area, but the ball misses for a left-side corner.

Mejbri gives the corner from the left, but Osimhen makes a head-but-forgett.

Tunisia’s 32nd Team Earns Their First Corner

Mejbri delivers a corner from the right, demonstrating their first real attacking intent. As the ball bounces around the box, Osimhen rises to meet it with a header.

Abdi fires a shot over the crossbar after the ball eventually falls to him outside the box to the right.

Another Corner: Another Corner for Nigeria at 28′

From the right, Lookman floated the ball in. Iwobi attempted to redirect the ball, but it was eventually cleared after Osimhen got a touch while positioned at the far post.

Osimhen’s goal at 17′ is flagged as offside.

Before entering the box, Lookman made a run to the right of center and fired his way to the goal.

Osimhen perfectly timed his run by sliding the ball past the goalkeeper after Dahmen rebounded.

The referee immediately flagged Osimhen for offside and gave him the goal, but the ball hit the back of the net. The striker has allowed the fifth goal in the tournament without an exception.

11′ Nigeria Wins First Corner

Osimhen rose up to meet the ball, which Lookman delivered from the right, but his angled header once more fell over the bar.

Tunisia have been under pressure, and they will be hoping to improve.

Osimhen misses another chance, 9′.

On the right flank, Adams gathered the ball and headed to Osimhen’s far post. A well-timed header from the striker was well received, but it went just over the crossbar.

Nigeria lacked a prime opportunity to take the lead early.

Osimhen’s 6′ effort crosses the bar.

The striker for Galatasaray picked up the ball outside the box on the right. The ball soared high over the crossbar and into the stands as he attempted to score it.