Karl Etta Eyong Emerges as Cameroons Hero in Nail Biting AFCON Victory Over Gabon

Striker Karl Etta Eyong, based in Spain, netted the opener just six minutes into the game, securing a hard fought 1-0 triumph for five time champions Cameroon against Gabon in a gripping Africa Cup of Nations encounter held on Wednesday in Agadir.

Etta Eyongs strike delivered three crucial points to Cameroon, positioning them alongside Group F leaders and defending champions Ivory Coast, who had squeezed past Mozambique 1-0 in an earlier Marrakesh fixture.

This victory represented the first instance of Cameroon defeating their central African rivals Gabon at the Africa Cup of Nations, coming after a 2010 reverse and a deadlock seven years afterwards.

The concluding first round group clash pitted two outfits eager for some redemption, having both fallen short in their bids to reach the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Morocco had staged the qualification play offs only last month, during which Gabon absorbed a resounding setback against Nigeria, while Cameroon yielded a stoppage time concession to bow out versus the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The fixture doubled as the introductory match for Cameroons fresh head coach David Pagou, who stepped in amid a prolonged conflict between federation chief Samuel Eto o and Marc Brys, ultimately costing the Belgian his position.

Pagou sparked surprise by omitting goalkeeper Andre Onana, currently loaned out to Trabzonspor by Manchester United, along with seasoned forward Vincent Aboubakar, in assembling his Africa Cup of Nations roster.

Further disarray emerged around selecting Aboubakars successor for the captains role, as Manchester Uniteds Bryan Mbeumo was initially designated for the duty.

Later, it emerged that captaincy would rotate among three squad members, namely goalkeeper Devis Epassy, backline enforcer Nouhou Tolo, and attacker Christian Bassogog. Tolo took charge for the Indomitable Lions in this Gabon outing.

Cameroon wasted little time asserting dominance, courtesy of Etta Eyong from La Ligas Levante, even as his jubilant response was held up by an extended VAR examination over a possible offside infringement.

Mbeumo masterminded the breakthrough with a precise delivery to Etta Eyong, whose clever positioning off the ball carved out room, enabling him to pierce goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba with a low drive slipping betwixt the keepers thighs.

Gabons celebrated forward and 2015 African Footballer of the Year Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, earlier deemed unavailable due to an injury picked up while at Marseille, made his entrance around the 33 minute mark.

Yet, for all the firepower from Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga, Gabons reliable marksman from Los Angeles FC, in their attacking ranks, Cameroon consistently posed the greater goal threat across the contest.