Cameroon kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations journey with determination, narrowly overcoming Gabon to seize an early advantage on the road to the knockout rounds in Morocco.

With David Pagou newly at the helm after Marc Brys’s departure, the Indomitable Lions found fresh belief and earned vital points in his debut on the touchline.

It took just six minutes for Cameroon to strike, as Karl Etta Eyong coolly finished from Bryan Mbeumo’s assist. The early joy was briefly halted by an offside flag, but VAR intervened to reignite the celebrations.

Samuel Kotto nearly doubled the lead with a header that sailed wide from another precise Mbeumo cross, while Gabon’s Denis Bouanga saw his close-range shot denied in their brightest first-half chance.

Bryan Mbeumo was shown a yellow card for a bad foul in the 79th minute.

Cameroon’s resolve was tested when midfielder Carlos Baleba was forced off at halftime with an injury, yet the five-time champions held firm and secured the victory.

Cameroon face holders Ivory Coast next on December 28.