Cameroon opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Gabon in a Group F match played at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir on Wednesday night.
Karl Etta Eyong scored the only goal of the game just a few minutes after kick-off, with the Indomitable Lions joining Ivory Coast (who defeated Mozambique 1-0 earlier in the evening) on three points at the top of the table.
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The Panthers put up a battling display – including a surprise appearance off the bench for Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who was reportedly unavailable due to injury – but they were unable to get the better of the five-time Afcon champions.
Cameroon got off to a flying start and claimed the lead in the sixth minute, with Karl Etta Eyong shooting through the legs of goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba, following a smart pass behind the defensive line from Bryan Mbeumo.
Etta Eyong’s strike was initially ruled out by the offside flag, but a VAR review confirmed the goal in favour of the Indomitable Lions.
The team in green and red almost doubled their advantage midway through the first half when Junior Tchamadeu played in a low cross from the right to pick out the late run of Danny Namaso, but the French-based forward drove a low shot just wide of the mark.
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Just past the half-hour mark, Gabon took a major gamble with a double change which saw the introduction of Mario Lemina and Aubameyang. The Panthers created some attacking pressure late in the first half, but the interval arrived with Cameroon still a goal to the good.
And the Indomitable Lions should have added to their lead five minutes after the restart, as Mbeumo played a great pass to put Tchamadeu in on goal, but the wingback blasted an effort high and wide.
Gabon’s best chance of an equaliser arrived in the 72nd minute when Royce Openda was put into space down the right of the Cameroon penalty area, but goalkeeper Devis Epassy closed down the angle and made a fine save.
Cameroon were inches away from a second goal in the 79th minute when substitute Frank Magri powered a header on target from a corner kick, but his effort deflected off a Gabon defender and rattled the crossbar.
The teams will continue their Group F campaign on Sunday 28 December, with Gabon tackling Mozambique in Agadir, while Cameroon will face fellow heavyweights Ivory Coast in Marrakesh.
Cameroon (1) 1 (Etta Eyong 6’)
Gabon 0
Cameroon: D. Epassy, C. Malone Junior, S. Kotto, T. Nouhou, J. Tchamadeu, C. Baleba (J. Onana 46’), A. Avom (G. Nyamsi 90’), D. Yongwa, B. Mbeumo, D. Namaso (E. Dina Ebimbe 67’), K. Etta Eyong (F. Magri 67’)
Gabon: L. Mbaba, A. Poko (C. Loufilou 72’), B. Ecuele Manga, A. Oyono, A. Moucketou-Moussounda (S. Babicka 85’), D. Ndong, J. Ekomie, T. Averlant (P.E. Aubameyang 33’), R. Openda (J. Allevinah 72’), E. Bocoum (M. Lemina 33’), D. Bouanga