Cameroon 1-0 Gabon, AFCON 2025 Highlights: Indomitable Lions Clinch Maiden Victory Over Panthers - As It Happened

Stay updated with our live blog as we bring you every moment from the final Matchday 1 fixture in Group F. It’s a massive Central African showdown as Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions take on the Gabon Panthers at the Stade Adrar in Agadir.

Follow along for real-time play-by-play, live scores, and expert analysis as these two rivals battle for an early advantage in the tournament.

Reigning champions Ivory Coast, filled with international superstars, are taking on the Mambas of Mozambique in the other Group F match of the night. Follow our live blog for the real-time updates from the Stade de Marrakech.

Cameroon’s AFCON build-up is in chaos due to a power struggle between FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o and the Sports Ministry. Eto’o recently sacked coach Marc Brys, replacing him with David Pagou and omitted Vincent Aboubakar to allegedly protect his own goal-scoring record and also dismissed star goalie Andre Onana.

With Onana absent, Devis Epassy will keep the goal, while Manchester United recruit Bryan Mbeumo, fresh off a prolific Premier League season will captain the side for the first time on the continental stage

Interestingly, despite Cameroon's historical dominance, they have never beaten Gabon in an AFCON match.

2017: Cameroon 0–0 Gabon (Group Stage)

2010: Cameroon 0–1 Gabon (Group Stage)

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Cameroon: Epassy (GK), Malone, Kotto, Tolo, Tchamadeu, Loader, Quomah Baleba, Avom, Yongwa, Mbuemo and Eyong

Gabon: Mbaba (GK), Poko, Ecuele Manga, Oyono, Moucketou, Ndong, Ekomie, Averlant, Openda, Mboula and Bouanga

It's time for the National anthems of Cameroon and Gabon. Remember, reigning champions Ivory Coast won the previous Group F game against Mozambique and whoever wins with a 2-goal cushion tonight, will take the top spot.

Absolutely prefect start for the Cameroonians as they go 1-0 up within the first 10 minutes of the game. Brian Mbuemo directly involved in the goal as he provides the assist to Karl Etta Eyong, who launched a right footed shot but the goal was initially not being allowed before VAR interruption.

After a thorough check, referee Amin Mohamed Omar awarded the goal to the Indomitable Lions who lead right at the star.

Danny Namaso with a clever ball there but his pass doesn't reach Bryan Mbuemo, who is looking in a fine touch tonight.

Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been brought in by Gabon in place of Teddy Averlant. Let's see if the Panthers can get any return from this substitution.

End to end attacking going on at the moment as both the goalkeepers have been put to test. Samuel Kotto from Cameroon had his header graze past the bar while Gabon's Mario Lemina also missed the target.

It remains 1-0 in favour of Cameroon at half-time as Gabon weren't able to pressurize the Indomitable Lions at all.

Cameroon dominated possession with more than half of the ball staying at their feet.

Eyong's goal in the first-half was Cameroon's first goal ever scored against their Gabonese counterparts, who must score at least once to avoid their first defeat against the Indomitable Lions and also extend their six-match unbeaten run in AFCON group games.

We are underway for the 2nd half and 6 minutes have passed by as Gabon continue to search for the equalizer to at least steal a point at the end of the full 90 minutes.

Tactical lapse from Gabon there. They left the right channel completely exposed, allowing Junior Tchamadeu to drift into a scoring position. After a brilliant first touch to kill the pace of the pass, the Stoke City man found the space he needed. However, he leaned back just a millisecond too far at the point of contact, sending the strike whistling over the crossbar.

Gabon have created chances of their own here in the space of the last 5 minutes or so, but nothing on the score line yet. Still a long way to go for the Panthers, they just need one neat breakout move.

Only a matter of 14 more minutes and Cameroon will secure a narrow victory. They will be disappointed to not have scored more.

The referee has added only 4 minutes to conclude the second-half.

So we witnessed two back-to-back 1-0 games in Group F of the Africa Cup of Nations matchday 1. Just like the encounter between Ivory Coast and Mozambique, this one between Cameroon and Gabon required only a goal to determine the winner.

Gabon came out as a far better side in the second half but they had absolutely nothing to show for it. After not having much of the ball in the first 45 minutes, the Panthers kept more than 50% of it in the final half.

However, despite only 46% of possession throughout the match, Cameroon walk out as the winners as Etta Eyong's goal in the 6th minute proved to be the difference.