CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Cameroon 1 – 0 Gabon
Carl Eta Eong opened his account for Cameroon in his fourth international appearance [Getty Images]
Karl-Etta Eong’s early goal gave five-time champions Cameroon victory over Gabon in their opening Group F match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Agadir.
In an intense meeting between Central African neighbours, Cameroon set a fast pace from the start by accelerating transitions and advancing quickly in hopes of overtaking Gabon.
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The trick paid off when Brian Mbeumo collected Samuel Cotto’s ball over the top and played a deft pass to Ewing inside the box, allowing the Levante striker to curl the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Luis Mbaba – with the goal confirmed as offside by a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.
Feeling the need for a major change in momentum, Gabon coach Thierry Muyoma caused a surprise by tweaking his attack in the 33rd minute, bringing on Mario Lemina and the country’s all-time leading scorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, in place of Teddy Averlant and Eric Bokum – who were expected to miss the match due to injury.
Royce Opinda had Gabon’s best chance 18 minutes from time, making a brilliant save from the advancing Davies Ibasie after Andre Boko’s pass allowed him to shoot from a tight angle inside the box.
Substitute Franck Magri almost doubled Cameroon’s lead shortly after with a header after a corner kick taken by Manchester United striker Mbeumo hit the crossbar after hitting defender Jacques Ekome.
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Both teams play in the second match of the three Group stage matches On Sunday, when Gabon plays in Agadir against Mozambique Lost to defending champion Ivory Coast 1-0 Earlier on Wednesday, Cameroon faces the Elephants in Marrakesh (20:00).
Bago leads the invincible lions to victory
David Pageau (left) has been appointed coach of Cameroon after Football Association president Samuel Eto’o won a long-running dispute with the country’s sports ministry. [Getty Images]
The victory came after preparations for the Indomitable Lions Championship were disrupted, with Belgian Marc Brace. He was replaced as head coach by local coach David Pageau at the beginning of the month.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana and veteran striker Vincent Abubakar were left out of the squad, while midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was ruled out due to injury.
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However, Cameroon were a team that turned around from the one that missed out on a place in the 2026 World Cup during last month’s African qualifiers, with Mbeumo proving a productive creative presence on his debut at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba patrolling the midfield with impressive authority before being forced off at half-time.
Aubameyang, who had been receiving treatment for a thigh injury, came off the bench for the fifth edition of the finals, and the striker quickly made his presence known as Gabon grew throughout the match.
The Marseille player narrowly failed to connect when a corner was headed his way before Panthers striker Denis Bouanga, who had earlier shot wide, was denied by Junior Chamadeo.
Gabon spent most of the second half in defence, with Mbaba running to his right to block Mbwemo’s attempt and Bouanga missing a late free kick.
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With this result, the first round of group stage matches in Morocco ended and ensured that no match in the finals has ended in a goalless draw so far.