Aubameyang scored the opening goal in the 30th minute, and Stephane N'Guema Ndo got Gabon’s second in the 45th minute. Gabon, who fielded a 5-4-1 formation, with Eric Mouloungui filling the lone striker role, started this game comfortably and took control from the start.

The Mena of Niger, coached by CAF 2011 Best Manager, Harouna Doula, came under relentless pressure from the Gabonese as goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly, who plays professional football with Cameroonian club, Cotonsport of Garoua was forced into a couple of unconvincing punches as he attempted to clear his lines.

The Panthers camped in the Niger half and a goal seemed inevitable for the co-hosts. It came as no surprise in the 30th minute when N’guema Ndo was provided space down the right-flank, his floated cross, misjudged by the Niger goalkeeper, Kassally, was well controlled by the head of the on-coming Aubameyang to make it 1-0.

At the close of the first half, Moussonou whipped in a cross from the left, the initial effort from Aubameyang was punched-out by the keeper, Kassaly, but Nguema Ndo was quick to the action and the ball to steer it home and made it 2-0 in the 45th minute.

In the second half, the Menas came in with some elements of dynamism, and passed the ball more around trying to unsettle Gabon. They pressed Gabon and ran after loose balls, but their defence remained shaky at best and the Panthers always looked more likely to extend their lead.

In the closing minutes of the match, Gabonese football star, Daniel Couzin came in to put some spice into the Gabonese package of the day. The Panthers ran down the clock as Niger remained no threat. Not the start Niger were looking for as they were outclassed in every department.

In the second match of the day, Tunisia punished wasteful Atlas Lions of Morocco with a 2-1 defeat.

Although the Atlas Lions of Morocco, coached by Frenchman, Eric Geret created more chances throughout the match, they fell to goals from Carthage Eagles’ Saber Khelifa and Youssef Msakni, while Houssine Kharja, the Moroccan captain pulled one goal back late in the second half.

Generally, the Tunisians were organised in their game, defended their goals, had good ball controls and played as a team.

Just when it looked like the Tunisians had done enough to grab all three points there was still time for drama in the final minutes of the game as Morocco pulled a goal back in the 86th minute when a cross was headed back across goals by Ahmed Kantari for Kharja to finish from the centre.

There were protests from the Tunisian defenders as Kantari was coming from an offside position but the complaints fell on deaf ears as referee, Daniel Bennet validated the goal.

Moroccan skipper, Kharja came close to stealing a point for the Atlas Lions in the third minute of added time when he turned two defenders on his way into the box, but his curled effort went just over the crossbar as the Tunisians held on for all three points.