Gabon and Cameroon closed out what was an exciting Christmas Eve for the 2025 African Cup of Nations. The 35,200 fans didn’t mind the rain on a showery night before Christmas as Cameroon slid by Gabon 1-0. Etta Eyong scored the winning goal for Cameroon, and goalkeeper Devis Epassy earned his first clean sheet of the tournament.
This highly anticipated Group F match lived up to its billing. Fans from both countries showed up in great numbers, bringing all the excitement to the Stade Adrar in Agadir. Five-time AFCON champions Cameroon lead the continent in tournament trophies and hope to add to their collection this year. The drama with Samuel Etoo, the coaching selection, and the absence of captain and leading goalscorer Vincent Aboubacar were all behind them now that the tournament is in full swing.
Gabon is seeking its first-ever AFCON trophy and brought arguably its strongest squad ever. With stars like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga, Mario Lemina, and Anthony Oyono, Les Panthères (Panthers) are looking to make waves, having never advanced past the quarterfinal.
Just minutes into the encounter, the lions of Cameroon were first to strike. It was set up by Manchester United man Bryan Mbeumo, who sent a perfectly timed through ball to Etta Eyong. After breaking Gabon’s backline, Eyong fired a surefire goal past Gabonese keeper Loyce Mbaba. The initial calls for offside were renounced after VAR review.
Cameroon almost increased their lead in the opening minutes of the second half, thanks to another ball played in by Mbeumo. While running backwards to recover a ball, he laid the ball forward to a pacing Junior Tchamadeu, who had acres of space between him and Mbaba. With nerves getting the better of him, the Stoke City man skied his effort into the stands.
The Indomitable Lions came close again in the 76th minute from a corner kick. The ensuing kick found the head of Frank Magri, who out-leaped his defenders to reach the ball. The power header beat Mbaba but rang off the post and out of bounds.
The match grew to a quicker pace in the latter part of the second half. With both teams scrambling, Cameroon for the win, Gabon for the draw, both teams were noticeably desperate, with the match having a scrappy ending (two possible foul tackles were left uncontested at the final whistle).
After a handful of long balls failed to garner a favorable result, Gabon lost its opening match to Cameroon, going goalless after the full 90 plus stoppage time.
No doubt the Panthers will feel outdone, having bested their opponents in every category but the scoreline. They outpossessed (56.7%-43.3%), outdueled (61.5%-38.5%), and intercepted (10-4) more balls than Cameroon, even though they lost the match. Out of the many shots that were taken from both sides, the most notable statistic was Cameroon’s 10 shots inside the box compared to Gabon’s six.
The next challenge for the Panthers after today’s loss will be Sunday, Dec. 28, as they take on the Mambas of Mozambique. Cameroon will take on the defending champions Ivory Coast, also on Dec. 28.
You can follow thepeachreview.com for daily AFCON coverage as well as our special Instagram accounts providing coverage during the tournament. Each match, we’ll continue focusing on what makes AFCON so special: the fans.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Anthony Reaves