Cameroon strikes early to secure win over Gabon
Cameroon put aside recent woes to open its Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 victory over neighbour Gabon as Karl Etta Eyong’s early goal secured a much-needed win.
The Spanish-based striker squeezed his shot under Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba in the sixth minute after being set up by Bryan Mbeumo, the goal confirmed after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.
Cameroon moved alongside holder Cote d'Ivoire, which beat Mozambique, at the top of Group F with all 24 teams at the tournament in Morocco now having played a game.
Cameroon, a five-time winner of this tournament, has been to more FIFA World Cups than any other African country but has struggled to maintain its prominent role in the African game.
It fired coach Marc Brys three weeks ago and left Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana out of the squad for the tournament, having missed out on FIFA World Cup qualification last month.
But it will be pleased with a winning start in a fast-tempo game in which it did have the better of the chances.
Mbeumo was particularly effective, setting up several chances for team-mates, the best of which Junior Tchamadeu blasted wide of target early in the second half.
Substitute Frank Magri headed against the Gabon crossbar 11 minutes from the end in another good opportunity for the Indomitable Lions.
Gabon started without key striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who only joined up with his team-mates in Morocco this week after suffering a thigh injury, but both he and Mario Lemina were brought on in an early double substitution in the 32nd minute as Gabon looked to get back into the match.
Denis Bouanga had a handful of half-chances but Aubameyang was largely ineffectual for Gabon.
