Cameroon Seek First AFCON Goal Against Gabon in Rivalry Renewed

Cameroon and Gabon will renew their rivalry at the Africa Cup of Nations when they meet in their opening Group F fixture on Wednesday night in Agadir, Morocco.

This will be the third time the two Central African nations clash at the AFCON finals. Gabon have avoided defeat in both previous encounters, defeating Cameroon 1-0 in their opening match of the 2010 tournament before holding the Indomitable Lions to a goalless draw in the final group game of the 2017 edition.

Despite failing to score against Gabon in AFCON competition, Cameroon progressed from the group stage on both occasions, while Gabon were eliminated.

In 2017, hosts Gabon needed victory in the final group match to advance, but Cameroon held firm for a 0-0 draw and went on to win the tournament, defeating Ghana in the final in Franceville.

Cameroon arrive in Morocco for their 22nd AFCON appearance, seeking to add to their five continental titles. The Indomitable Lions last lifted the trophy in 2017 and remain the second most successful nation in AFCON history behind Egypt.

They qualified unbeaten for this edition, conceding only two goals, but will be without goalkeeper André Onana and striker Vincent Aboubakar, who scored three times in qualifying and netted eight goals at AFCON 2021.

Cameroon’s record in opening matches is strong, with ten wins from twenty, though they drew 1-1 with Guinea in their opener at AFCON 2023.

Gabon, meanwhile, return to the finals after missing the 2023 edition, making their ninth AFCON appearance. Their best finishes came in 1996 and 2012 when they reached the quarter-finals.

The Panthers are unbeaten in their last seven AFCON matches in open play and have not lost an opening match in their last five tournament appearances.

Gabon qualified as runners-up behind hosts Morocco and will look to extend their six-match unbeaten run in group-stage competition.