Posted by Gabon edged off Africa Cup of Nations debutants Comoros in Group C thanks to Aaron Boupendza’s first-half goal. After 16 minutes, Gabon forward Louis Ameka pounced on a lost ball and sent in Boupendza, who scored from a tight angle. Denis Bouanga of Gabon forced Ali Ahamada of the Comoros to make two great reaction saves in the second half.
As the West Africans swept to victory, Comoros offered no resistance. Gabon now sit joint-top of Group C after Sofiane Boufal’s 83rd-minute strike had earlier handed Morocco a narrow win over Ghana. Comoros, the Island nation in the Indian Ocean who qualified ahead of Kenya and Togo, dominated proceedings before Gabon’s opener against the run of play.
But once the two-time quarter-finalists went in front it was one-way traffic, even without star player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who missed this match after testing positive for Covid-19.
Comoros did cause one scare late in the second half when Gabon keeper Jean-Noel Amonome shovelled a long-range shot narrowly past his right-hand post.
They face Morocco on Friday (16:00 GMT) before Gabon play Ghana (19:00 GMT).