African Nations Cup co-hosts Gabon kicked off their campaign with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Group C rivals Niger at the Stade d'Angondje, thanks to first-half goals from Pierre Aubameyang and Stephane N'Guema.
Aubameyang was a major threat to the Niger defence and he opened the scoring in the 30th minute before then playing a key part in the build-up to Gabon's second goal on the stroke of half-time, scored by Stephane N'Guema.
The victory put Gabon top of the Pool C standings ahead of the Morocco-Tunisia match later this evening.
Debutants Niger, who caused a huge shock when they finished above three-time reigning champions Egypt and South Africa in qualifying, enjoyed a rare attack just before the break when Alhassane Issoufou and Boubacar Talatou saw close-range efforts blocked following a corner, but they found themselves 2-0 down moments later.
Eric Mouloungui did superbly to win back possession before laying the ball off to Charly Moussono, whose cross looked set to result in Aubameyang's second goal as the 22-year-old launched himself at the ball to power a header goalward.
He was denied by a brilliant save by Daouda, but from the follow-up N'Guema slotted into an empty net.
That proved to be the end of the scoring as Gabon held onto their advantage relatively comfortably in the second half, although they did need a brilliant diving save from Didier Ovono Ebang to keep out Boubacar Issoufou's 78th-minute header.
Gabon might also have increased their lead late but, after defensive error, Aubameyang fired just wide from the edge of the box while Daniel Cousin saw a dipping shot go just over.
