They beat Niger 2-0 in their first outing in the tournament yesterday.

Gabon has followed the footsteps of co-host Equatorial Guinea by obtaining victory in their first outing at the 28^th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. In an emotionally charged encounter at the “Stade de l’Amitié Sino-Gabonaise” yesterday, Gabon outsmarted Niger 2-0. The victory was no surprise as football pundits had tipped Gabon to be the favourite and Niger noted for not playing well out of their country.

Both goals were scored in the first half at the 30^th and 45^th minutes respectively. Gabon proved enterprising from the very first minute of the encounter orchestrating carefully organised offensives characterized by short, accurate, quick passes which put the Niger team in disarray. The Panthers kept the pressure for about twenty minutes and obtained the curtain raiser just when Niger was beginning to find its feet in the game. The goal was got by Aubameyang who neatly headed in a cross from the right flank to beat goalkeeper Daouda Kassali who plays club football for Coton Sport of Garoua.

The second goal came just before the half time mark as Kassali who was highly solicited throughout the encounter repelled a shot and the ball went to the waiting legs of Nguema Ondo who hammered into an empty goal post. Niger reacted with long balls upfront to take the danger to the vital area of Gabon but didn’t succeed. They fired their first shot at the goal at the 45^th minute and had their only real chance to reduce scores at the 83^rd minute but squandered it.

The kick off to the encounter was given by President Ali Bongo who came with his wife clad in the colours of the Gabonese team and cheered every good play by his country. Cameroon’s wonder boy, Samuel Eto’o Fils was present as guest of honour and delivered a short speech in a ceremony before the encounter.