Niger needed a second-half goal from the penalty spot to defeat Gabon 1-0 in their second match of the Caf U23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco on Wednesday night.

In the Group B contest at Grand Stade de Tanger, Abdoul Moumouni scored what turned out to be the winner in the 60th minute to help Niger clinch their first-ever victory in the Afcon competition and send Gabon, who found themselves at the bottom of the pile, out of the tournament.

Right from the kickoff, Gabon, positioned in the group’s basement, displayed determination and eagerly embraced physical challenges. Despite their presence in the midfield, Saturnin Ibela Ignambi’s team struggled to convert their opportunities into goals against the Nigerien defense.

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Niger were forced to wait until the 60th minute when the referee awarded a penalty after Urie-Michel Mboula fouled Abdoul Salam Boulhassane. Darankoum cemented his place in Niger’s football history by becoming the first player to score a goal in the final stages of a pre-Olympic tournament for Niger.

With defending champions Egypt also winning their fixture 1-0 against 10-man Mali, Niger’s hard-fought victory spelled the end for Gabon in the competition as they face elimination. As the fourth matchday concluded, Egypt and Niger now occupy the top positions in Group B.