FootyChatter.com

Karl Etta Eyong opened his Cameroon account on his fourth international appearance 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 - who had been expected to miss the game through injury. 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). All you need to know about Afcon 2025 Why is Afcon taking place in December? David Pagou (left) was named as Cameroon boss after football federation president Samuel Eto'o won a long-running dispute with the country's sports ministry The victory came after a disrupted build-up to the tournament for the Indomitable Lions, with Belgian Marc Brys replaced as head coach by local boss David Pagou at the start of the month. Goalkeeper Andre Onana and veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar were high-profile omissions from their squad, while midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was ruled out through injury. However, Cameroon were a side transformed from the one which missed out on a place at the 2026 Fifa World Cup during Africa's play-offs last month, as Mbeumo proved a productive creative presence on his Afcon debut and Brighton's Carlos Baleba patrolled midfield with impressive authority before being forced off at half-time. Aubameyang, who had been receiving treatment for a thigh injury, climbed off the bench to appear at a fifth edition of the finals, and the striker swiftly made his presence felt as Gabon grew into the game. The Marseille man narrowly failed to connect when a corner was headed into his path before fellow Panthers forward Denis Bouanga, who had earlier shot wide, had an effort blocked by Junior Tchamadeu. Gabon spent much of the second period defending, with Mbaba springing to his right to beat away a curling attempt by Mbeumo and Bouanga wasting a late free-kick. The result brought the first round of group stage matches in Morocco to an end and ensured no match at the finals has finished goalless so far. Last Updated 24th December 2025 at 22: 03 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: David Pagou Formation: 3 - 5 - 1 - 1 Manager: Cedric Moubamba Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: David Pagou Formation: 3 - 5 - 1 - 1 Manager: Cedric Moubamba Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 CAF Africa Cup of Nations All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, Cameroon 1, Gabon 0. Second Half ends, Cameroon 1, Gabon 0. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match (Gabon). Attempt blocked. Gerzino Nyamsi (Cameroon) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Foul by Bruno Ecuele Manga (Gabon). Frank Magri (Cameroon) wins a free kick on the left wing. Substitution, Cameroon. Gerzino Nyamsi replaces Arthur Avom. Junior Tchamadeu (Cameroon) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Shavy Babicka (Gabon) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Junior Tchamadeu (Cameroon). Attempt blocked. Clench Loufilou (Gabon) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Substitution, Gabon. Shavy Babicka replaces Alex Moucketou-Moussounda. Alex Moucketou-Moussounda (Gabon) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Darlin Yongwa (Cameroon). Foul by Anthony Oyono (Gabon). Frank Magri (Cameroon) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Clench Loufilou (Gabon). Jean Onana (Cameroon) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.