Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two camps who will get their respective 2026 AFCON adventures underway on Wednesday night, Cameroon will meet Gabon in Agadir.
Cameroon
Starting Cameroon, suffering a disappointing Round of 16 exit following a 2-0 loss against historic rivals Nigeria over in the Ivory Coast three years ago, David Pagou’s men have plenty of expectations on their shoulders this time around. Watching their World Cup dreams go up in smoke last month as they fell to a 1-0 loss against D.R Congo, the Indomitable Lions are crying out for some recent stability. Including another 1-0 defeat against Cape Verde on September 9th, the African heavyweights have not recorded consecutive competitive victories since back in October 2024. Facing what could be a tricky opening challenge in Agadir on Wednesday night, Cameroon have also shown some worrying struggles in the final third. Drawing a blank in three of their previous four matchups across all competitions, Pagou’s side could face a real banana skin here.
Cameroon Team News
In what was a shock announcement earlier in the month, Andre Onana has been omitted from Cameroon’s squad and will not play any part over the next month. Playing his domestic football with French outfit Montpellier, Simon Ngapandouetnbu should get the nod and start between the sticks.
Impressing after complying a summer switch to Old Trafford, Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo will lead the line on Wednesday night. Fellow Premier League star Carlos Baleba has been included in Pagou’s squad and the Brighton starlet will start in the middle of the park in Agadir.
Gabon
As for Gabon, suffering World Cup qualifying heartbreak last time out as they eventually fell to a 4-1 loss against Nigeria on November 13th, Gabon will know the importance of not showing any signs of a hangover in Morocco. Nevertheless, although Thierry Mouyouma’s men might be flying under the radar ahead of Wednesday’s opener, the Panthers are more than capable of asking some serious questions over the next month. In fact, Gabon have suffered a single defeat within 90 minutes from any of their last 11 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back over the past 13 months. With their sights set on wrapping up a knockout stage ticket, Mouyouma’s squad will be dreaming of the chance to collect a heavyweight scalp here.
Gabon Team News
Enjoying what has been a sensational run of form with Marseille this season and registering 10 direct goal contributions in his first 14 Ligue 1 appearances, former Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead out Gabon on Wednesday and earn an 85th international cap.
Playing his domestic football with Turkish giants Galatasaray, former Wolves star Mario Lemina will start in the middle of the park. Despite featuring for Gabon during last month’s 4-1 World Cup qualifying showdown against Nigeria, Lyon youngster Bryan Meyo Ngoua has been omitted from Mouyouma’s squad.
Cameroon vs Gabon Key Factors to Consider
- When Cameroon and Gabon last met back in 2017, Wednesday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate.
- Cameroon have drawn a blank in three of their previous four appearances across all competitions.
- Despite their World Cup qualifying heartbreak last month, Gabon have suffered a single defeat within 90 minutes from any of their last 11 appearances across all competitions. Only one of the last five showdowns between
- Cameroon and Gabon have finished with both teams finding the net.
- Four of the last five meetings between Wednesday’s opponents have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
With Cameroon drawing a blank in three of their previous four appearances across all competitions, don’t be surprised to see a cagey AFCON opener on Wednesday night. With the two African giants playing out an uneventful 0-0 stalemate when they last met back in 2017, chances could come at a premium here. Likewise, with four of the last five meetings between Cameroon and Gabon finishing with under 2.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome from Agadir.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
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