Gabon 1 Comoros 0 LIVE REACTION: Aubameyang misses AFCON 2022 clash as Boupendza gives Gabon crucial three points
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GABON made a winning start to their AFCON challenge with victory over Comoros.
Talisman and Arsenal ex-captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang played no part in the win over his positive test for Covid-19 upon arrival at the tournament.
A first half strike from Aaron Boupendza was enough to give Gabon their opening three points of the competition.
- TV channel/ live stream: Sky Sports Main Event, Football
- Gabon XI: Amonome, Mboumini, Manga, Obiang, Boupendza, Palun, Allevinah, Kaku, Autchanga, Poko, Nouang
- Comoros XI: Nadhoim, Kassim, Zahary, M’Changama, M’Dahoma, Abdullah, Youssouf, Youssouf, Mohamed, Bakari, Mohamed
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Full-time: Gabon 1-0 Comoros
That's all from me as Gabon got their Group C campaign off to a winning, if unconvincing start.
Thanks for joining me, and keep it SunSport for all things Afcon this month.
Full-time: Gabon 1-0 Comoros
Aaron Boupendza's 16th minute goal came against the run of play for Gabon.
And the Comoros continued to cause the Panthers problems as the match went on.
But a slight lack of quality going forward saw them come just short on their Afcon debut, although they can hold their heads high.
Gabon will have to play much better against Morocco and Ghana if they are to go through.
Full-time - Gabon 1-0 Comoros
That's it in Yaounde!
It's unconvincing, but Gabon have started their Group C campaign with a win.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
90+5. The ball struck Lloyd Palun flush in the side of the head.
He's now conscious again and walking, not requiring the stretcher.
But he surely can't continue in these final moments of the match.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
90+3. The free-kick is smacked straight into the wall and that's probably that for the Comoros.
There's a bit of concern for the man that blocked the free-kick, who appears possibly unconscious and is receiving urgent treatment.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
90+2. Free-kick in a decent position for the Comoros.
They couldn't, could they...?
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
90. The fourth official signals three minutes of adding time.
It's now or never for the Comoros!
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
88. Jean Noel Amonome flaps at a distinctly aimless cross.
But the Gabon goalkeeper uses the opportunity to dive on the ball and waste some time.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
85. Comoros send an aimless ball forward.
The underdogs appear to be tiring here, but Gabon have seemingly no interest in trying to hold on to the ball.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
82. El-Fardou Mohamed picks up the ball just beyond the halfway line and elects to shoot!
His team-mates must be annoyed with him there... he's missed by miles.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros - Substitution
79. Goalscorer Aaron Boupendza is replaced by David Sambissa for Gabon.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
77. Bouanga comes close again! But his effort is thwarted by Nadhoim.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros - Substitutions
75. The Comoros make another pair of changes, as Ahmed Mogni and Nadjim Abdou replace Rafidine Abdullah and Kassim M'Dahoma.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros - Chance!
73. Now it's Comoros' turn to come close!
Said Bakari unleashed a shot from outside the box and I must confess I thought it had gone in!
Instead, however, Amonome's intervention pushes the ball out for a corner.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros - Big chance!
72. Saint-Etienne ace Denis Bouanga finally produces a moment of quality!
The Ligue 1 forward jinks inside before thumping a shot towards goal!
It's a little close to Nadhoim, however, and is slapped away.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
70. Should Comoros have had a penalty?
Bruno Ecuele Manga went diving into a challenge on Mohamed.. I've seen them given!
Gabon 1-0 Comoros - Substitutions
66. Ulrick Eneme Ella is on for Jim Allevinah.
While Comoros have made a change of their own, with Mohamed Youssouf replaced by Djoumoi Moussa.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
66. Brighton youngster Ulrick Eneme Ella is readying himself to come on for Gabon.
The 20-year-old will be earning just his second cap.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
63. Jean Noel Amonome is now crumpled in a heap again after being fouled by El-Fardou Mohamed.
He's up again and okay now though and we're going again.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
62. Decent chance for Comoros!
Youssouf curls in an inviting, deep cross from the left flank.
But his team-mate struggled to make a meaningful connection in the middle.
Can Comoros find that precious leveller?
Gabon 1-0 Comoros - Yellow Card
61. Andre Poko is booked for cynically bringing down his opponent.
Gabon 1-0 Comoros
60. Penalty shout for Comoros!
Were Gabon lucky not to be penalised there... it looked like there was contact!
VAR have elected NOT to get involved.
That might be controversial.