Edge of the Net: Cameroon Take Gabon Down Early in AFCON Opener
24 December 2025
Match overview
The Cameroon national team secured a valuable 1-0 victory over Gabon on Wednesday night at Adrar Stadium, in the opening fixture of Group Six of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 hosted in Morocco.
The only goal arrived early in the eighth minute, scored by Ita Eiong after a precise pass from Bryan Mbiyomo inside the box, tucking the ball into the net.
Although the strike was initially ruled offside, a VAR review corrected the decision and the goal was officially awarded.
Impact and officials
With the win, Cameroon collected three points to sit top of Group Six, while Gabon began with zero.
In the other Group Six clash, Ivory Coast defeated Mozambique 1-0 to also start with three points.
The match was overseen by an international refereeing crew headed by Egyptian referee Amin Omar, with Mahmoud Abu Al-Rijal and Adel El-Banna assisting.
Congolese Jean-Jacques Nadala served as the fourth official, while Algerian Mustapha Ghrafal handled VAR duties with Tunisian Haitham Qirat assisting.
