AFCON 2025: Cameroon Win Opening Matchday Against Gabon

 

Gabon were disappointed to lose 1-0 to Cameroon in the 2025 AFCON Cup opening matchday, despite having a better possession of the game. 

Cameroon exploited the Gabonese slow start to the game, and an attempt to keep the indomitable Lions offside paved the way for Etta Eyong to strike. The Cameroonians have now won their opening matchday game in two consecutive tournaments. In the last edition of the competition in the Ivory Coast, they came from behind to beat Gambia.

The winning goal came in early from Bruno Ecuele Manga's defensive flop. He headed an aerial ball loosely for Bryan Mbeumo, who played in Eyong. The striker darted into the box and smashed the ball through Loyce Mbaba's legs and into the back of the net. 

Mbeumo was making his AFCON Cup debut in Morocco, and impacted the game by assisting with the winning goal. He was signed to Manchester United in the summer and has quickly established himself as a regular player in the starting lineups. He did not appear in the previous tournament in the Ivory Coast due to injury. 

Highlight of First and Second Half 

Gabon was forced to make quick changes with two strikers soon after Cameroon took the lead. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina fired the Gabonese, switching the pressure to the Cameroonians. Yet, the Idominated Lions found spaces to attack and occasionally break through to cause scares. 

Gabon threw all it had against the Cameroonians, whose defense maintained its resistance. David Pagou reinforced the midfield and the defense more than he did with the attack, as Gabon forced the side deeper into their own half. Gabon faced the task of breaking through the midfield and finding spaces for goalscoring opportunities in the box. 

Moments of Spectacle 

Aubameyang had his goal-bound shot blocked by Junior Tchamadeu near the closing minutes of the first half. Anthony Oyoro did a great job, stopping the through ball that set off Darin Yongwa from advancing inside the box and doubling the lead for Cameroon. 

Aubameyang wasted a chance to restore level terms when he darted into the Cameroonian box, but was stopped and slipped before making an attempt. Openda got a second trial but was stopped by Devis Epassy when Alex Moussounda's cross let him off.