Gabon held, Cameroon pull off comeback win

Gabon missed out on an opportunity to reach the African Nations Cup quarter-finals with a game to spare when they were held to a goalless stalemate by Tunisia yesterday.

Gabon, who started their campaign with a 1-0 win over Cameroon, top Group D with four points from two matches, one ahead of Cameroon who gained their first points after a 3-2 win over Zambia.

Alain Giresse's side will play their final group match against Zambia on Thursday while Tunisia will face Cameroon.

The Gabon Panthers dominated throughout but failed to convert a handful of chances through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Stephane Nguema.

After a shaky start, Gabon took control of the game and came close to opening the scoring when Eric Mouloungui's diving header shaved Aymen Mathlouthi's post.

Tunisia hit back five minutes later as midfielder Amine Chermiti collected a through-ball, only for Didier Ovono to dive at his feet in the box.

Aubameyang then broke down the right flank and unleashed a powerful drive that was parried away by Mathlouthi as the Panthers piled on the pressure.

Just before the break, Mouloungui again got the better of a hesitant Tunisia defence but his header went just wide. The Carthage Eagles stepped up a gear after the interval but they failed to take advantage of an Ovono blunder as the clock ticked past the hour.

The scare spurred Gabon back into the game and Mathlouthi was made to work by a sudden Nguema floating drive from the right.

As the rain started to pelt down, Gabon were denied a last-minute penalty when Ammar Jemel brought Daniel Cousin down in the area.

Late goal

In yesterday's second match, substitute Mohamadou Idrissou scored a late goal to earn Cameroon a 3-2 victory over Zambia.

Idrissou powered home a header from Geremi's cross in the 86th minute to complete a second-half comeback from World Cup-bound Cameroon, who conceded an early goal and faced an embarrassing early exit from the tournament.

Jacob Mulenga took advantage of a defensive slip to give Zambia an eighth-minute lead but two goals in four second-half minutes from Geremi and Samuel Eto'o put Cameroon 2-1 ahead.

Zambia were awarded a penalty 10 minutes from time which Chris Katingo converted but poor marking allowed Idrissou to snatch the three points for Cameroon.

Group D: Gabon 4; Cameroon 3; Tunisia 2; Zambia 1.

Playing today: (Group A) Angola vs Algeria; Mali vs Malawi.