LUBANGO, Angola (AP)—Daniel Cousin scored to give Gabon a 1-0 win over Cameroon on Wednesday as a fourth World Cup qualifying team failed to win at the African Cup of Nations.
Cousin, a striker for Hull in the Premier League, had a simple finish in the 17th minute after veteran Cameroon center back Rigobert Song made a defensive error.
Gabon leads Group D with three points. Tunisia and Zambia play their first matches in another group game later Wednesday.
World Cup qualifiers Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria have all lost matches at the African Cup, while Ivory Coast has drawn.
“We are very pleased we got a win in the first game,” said Gabon’s Alain Giresse, who came out on top against fellow French coach Paul Le Guen. “The system worked well. Technically we were very good.
“Even if we finish second in this group, we will be happy. What we want is to qualify for the next round.”
The Indomitable Lions dominating early on as Achille Emana’s elusive run ended with goalkeeper Didier Ovono turning his shot on to a post in the eighth minute.
Arsenal midfielder Alex Song almost gave Cameroon the lead a minute later, but failed to connect with Geremi’s far-post cross.
It was largely against the run of the play when Cousin broke the deadlock, taking advantage of Rigobert Song’s poor defending and connecting with Roguy Meye’s through ball to beat goalkeeper Carlos Kameni with a shot into the bottom left corner.
Rigobert Song is making a record eighth appearance at the African Cup. Alain Gouamene of Ivory Coast and Egypt striker Hossam Hassan have each made seven.
Cameroon almost leveled when Achille Webo hit a powerful low shot that forced Ovono to make another save in the 20th.
Emana then provided a well-timed through ball for Webo inside the box, but Ovono again used his legs to again save in the 32nd.
Cameroon, a four-time African Cup champion, lost its opening match in Ghana two years ago but still made it to the final before losing to Egypt.
Gabon, making its first appearance at the tournament after a 10-year absence, had several chances to finish off the game but failed to take advantage of Cameroon’s hesitant defending.
Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o, a three-time African Footballer of the Year, had a chance to equalize in the 75th after collecting a pass from Jean Makoun but the Inter Milan striker fired wide from close range.
“It’s not a big problem,” Eto’o said. “We have to win our next game. We controlled the game but we didn’t score.”
On Sunday in Lubango, Gabon plays Tunisia and Cameroon takes on Zambia.
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