Comoros 0-1 Gabon: Boupendza ends opening day debut dream
Aaron Boupendza's excellent strike gave Gabon victory over Comoros, whose Africa Cup of Nations debut ended in defeat.
Gabon ensured Comoros' Africa Cup of Nations finals debut was one to forget as they started their Group C campaign with a 1-0 win.
Gabon beat debutants Comoros
Aaron Boupendza's superb finish from a tight angle proved the difference in a game defined by otherwise wayward shooting.
Louis Ameka Autchanga slid Boupendza down the left flank and the Al-Arabi forward left Comoros goalkeeper Ali Ahamada stranded with a stunning strike.
Comoros dominated possession and had eight attempts to Gabon's seven as they attempted to find a way back into the contest.
But just one of those efforts hit the target, leaving them with an uphill climb to qualify from a group also featuring Morocco and Ghana.
Gabon could potentially book their place in the next stage with a win over Ghana on Friday.
- 23 Ahamada
- 12 Kassim M'Dahoma (75')
- 22 Saïd Bakari
- 2 Abdallah (45')
- 4 Younn Zahary
- 26 Iyad Mohamed (45')
- 19 Mohamed Youssouf (66')
- 15 Bendjaloud Youssouf
- 13 Abdullah (76')
- 10 Youssouf M'Changama
- 21 Ben Nabouhane
- Substitutes
- 9 Mohamed M'Changama
- 25 Djoumoi Moussa (66')
- 20 Ahmed Mogni (76')
- 8 Fouad Bachirou (45')
- 24 Faïz Mattoir (45')
- 3 Chaker Alhadhur
- 6 Nadjim Abdou (75')
- 1 Salim Ben Boina
- 5 Abdallah Ali Mohamed
- 27 Kassim Ahamada
- 11 Nakibou Aboubakari
- 18 Yacine Bourhane
- 1 Jean-Noël Amonome
- 8 Lloyd Palun
- 4 Sidney Obissa
- 5 Bruno Ecuele
- 6 Johann Obiang
- 14 Louis Ameka (57')
- 11 Jim Allevinah (65')
- 12 Kanga
- 17 Biyogo Poko
- 20 Denis Bouanga
- 7 Aaron-Salem Boupendza (77')
- Substitutes
- 22 Fahd Ndzengue
- 19 Serge-Junior Martinsson-Ngouali (57')
- 15 Ulrich Eneme (65')
- 3 Anthony Oyono
- 27 Gilchrist Nguema
- 24 David Sambissa (77')
- 26 Medwin Biteghé
- 25 Junior Assoumou
- 21 Junior Noubi Fotso
- 2 Alex Moucketou-Moussounda
- 28 Yannis N’Gakoutou-Yapende
- 16 Mfa Mezui
Substitutions
Faïz Mattoir (45', Kassim Abdallah), Fouad Bachirou (45', Iyad Mohamed), Serge-Junior Martinsson-Ngouali (57', Louis Ameka), Ulrick Eneme-Ella (65', Jim Allevinah), Djoumoi Moussa (66', Mohamed Youssouf), Nadjim Abdou (75', Kassim M'Dahoma), Ahmed Mogni (76', Rafidine Abdullah), David Sambissa (77', Aaron Salem Boupendza)
Goals
0-1, 15': Aaron-Salem Boupendza
Cards
Referee: Peter Waweru
VAR Referee: Mahmoud Ashour, Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel Abo El Regal
Abdallah (44',Yellow) Biyogo Poko (60',Yellow)
