Karl Etta Eyong's early strike gives Cameroon victory over Gabon in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group F opener in Agadir.
CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Cameroon 1 - 0 Gabon FT
Karl Etta Eyong's early strike gave five-time champions Cameroon victory over Gabon in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group F opener in Agadir.
In an intense meeting between Central African neighbours, Cameroon set a bristling pace from the start by snapping up transitions and advancing at speed in the hope of catching Gabon cold.
The ploy paid off when Bryan Mbeumo collected Samuel Kotto's ball over the top and threaded a deft pass on to the run of Eyong inside the box, allowing the Levante forward to slide a first-time finish through goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba's legs - with the goal confirmed as onside by a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.
Sensing the need for a considerable momentum change, Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma produced a surprise by shuffling his attack in the 33rd minute, replacing Teddy Averlant and Eric Bocoum with Mario Lemina and the leading marksman in the nation's history, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Royce Openda had Gabon's best chance 18 minutes from time, drawing an excellent save from the advanced Devis Epassy after Andre Poko's raking pass provided him with a shooting opportunity from a tight angle inside the box.
Substitute Frank Magri almost doubled Cameroon's lead shortly afterwards, heading Manchester United forward Mbeumo's corner against the crossbar via a deflection off defender Jacques Ekomie.
Both sides play the second of their three group stage games on Sunday, when Gabon are in Agadir against Mozambique, who lost 1-0 to holders Ivory Coast earlier on Wednesday, and Cameroon face the Elephants in Marrakech (20:00).
Cameroon kick off with victory
After failing to score in those previous meetings with Gabon at the finals, Cameroon's blistering start suggested a team on a revenge mission for the country's defeat in the fixture in their opening match 15 years ago.
The decision over Etta Eyong's goal appeared a straightforward one despite the delay involved, while Mbeumo proved a productive creative presence on his Afcon debut and Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba patrolled midfield with impressive authority.
After Eyong headed a Kotto cross wide, Mououma's bold early changes handed Aubameyang an appearance at a fifth edition of the finals.
The Marseille striker swiftly made his presence felt, narrowly failing to connect when a corner was headed on before LAFC record scorer Denis Bouanga, who had earlier shot wide, had a sight of goal inside the box with an effort that was blocked by Junior Tchamadeu.
Baleba was replaced at half-time by Jean Onana after receiving treatment on an apparent muscle injury, but Cameroon swiftly carved out another chance when Tchamadeu shot over after Mbeumo used the outside of a boot to play him through on goal.
Aubameyang, who has six goals and four assists at the finals, showed a lack of composure from two promising positions, with his side spending much of the second period defending and Mbaba springing to his right to beat a curling attempt by Mbeumo away.
The result brought the first round of group stage matches in Morocco to an end and ensured no match has finished goalless so far, although there was no repeat of the late drama involved in five of the preceding 11 matches, with a total of six goals coming after the 89th minute.
Category: General Sports
