Aaron Boupendza’s first-half finish was the difference as Gabon edged past Africa Cup of Nations debutants Comoros in Group C.
Gabon forward Louis Ameka latched on to a loose ball before playing in Boupendza to strike from a tight angle after 16 minutes.
In the second half Gabon’s Denis Bouanga twice forced Comoros keeper Ali Ahamada into fine reaction saves.
Comoros created little in response as the West Africans cruised to victory.
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).
Line-ups
Comoros
Formation 4-4-2
- 23Ahamada
- 2AbdallahBooked at 45minsSubstituted forMattoirat 45′minutes
- 12M’DahomaSubstituted forAbdouat 77′minutes
- 4Zahary
- 22Bakari
- 19YoussoufSubstituted forMoussaat 67′minutes
- 26MohamedSubstituted forBachirouat 45′minutes
- 13AbdullahSubstituted forMogniat 77′minutes
- 15Youssouf
- 10M’Changama
- 21Ben Nabouhane
Substitutes
- 1Ben Boina
- 3Alhadhur
- 5Ali Mohamed
- 6Abdou
- 8Bachirou
- 9M’Changama
- 11Aboubakari
- 18Bourhane
- 20Mogni
- 24Mattoir
- 25Moussa
- 27Ahamada
Gabon
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Amonome
- 8Palun
- 5Ecuele Manga
- 4Obissa
- 6Obiang
- 12Kanga
- 17Biyogo PokoBooked at 61mins
- 11AllevinahSubstituted forEneme-Ellaat 66′minutes
- 14AmekaSubstituted forMartinsson-Ngoualiat 58′minutes
- 20Bouanga
- 7BoupendzaSubstituted forSambissaat 78′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Moucketou-Moussounda
- 3Oyono
- 15Eneme-Ella
- 16Mfa Mezui
- 19Martinsson-Ngouali
- 21Noubi Fotso
- 22Ndzengue
- 24Sambissa
- 25Assoumou
- 26Biteghé
- 27Nguema
- 28N’Gakoutou-Yapende
Live Text
Match ends, Comoros 0, Gabon 1.
Second Half ends, Comoros 0, Gabon 1.
Attempt blocked. Youssouf M’Changama (Comoros) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Youssouf M’Changama (Comoros) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Guélor Kanga (Gabon).
Nadjim Abdou (Comoros) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ulrick Eneme-Ella (Gabon).
Foul by Saïd Bakari (Comoros).
Guélor Kanga (Gabon) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Offside, Gabon. Guélor Kanga tries a through ball, but Denis Bouanga is caught offside.
Fouad Bachirou (Comoros) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Guélor Kanga (Gabon).
Hand ball by El Fardou Ben Nabouhane (Comoros).
Youssouf M’Changama (Comoros) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ulrick Eneme-Ella (Gabon).
Attempt missed. El Fardou Ben Nabouhane (Comoros) left footed shot from more than 40 yards on the left wing is high and wide to the left.
Offside, Gabon. Denis Bouanga tries a through ball, but Ulrick Eneme-Ella is caught offside.
Substitution, Gabon. David Sambissa replaces Aaron Salem Boupendza.
Faïz Mattoir (Comoros) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Guélor Kanga (Gabon).
