Comoros and Gabon face off at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde, Cameroon for their first Group C encounter of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.Comoros are all set to make their debut in the tournament, having qualified for the very first time in history.Gabon, meanwhile, are making their eighth appearance, but are hoping to progress from the group stages for the first time since 2012.The Panthers lost out in the group stages in each of the last two editions of the competition.However, they face an uphill battle against Ghana and Morocco, one of the tournament favorites.A victory in their opening match will give the side a head start in their endeavor.Comoros vs Gabon Head-To-HeadInterestingly, this will be the first official encounter between the sides.Fédération Gabonaise de Football - FEGAFOOT@fegafoot_gabonPREMIERE SÉANCE DES PANTHÈRES AU STADE MILITAIRE. Patrice NEVEU n'est pas du tout perturbé par les réseaux sociaux et toute l'actualité autour de son équipe.Lire la suite :fegafoot.ga/premiere-seanc…1:56 AM · Jan 7, 20225310PREMIERE SÉANCE DES PANTHÈRES AU STADE MILITAIRE. Patrice NEVEU n'est pas du tout perturbé par les réseaux sociaux et toute l'actualité autour de son équipe.Lire la suite :fegafoot.ga/premiere-seanc… https://t.co/GZAoD0o63NComoros Form Guide (all competitions): L-W-W-W-LGabon Form Guide (all competitions): W-W-L-L-DComoros vs Gabon Team NewsComorosHead coach Amir Abdou has called up a 26-man squad for the tournament, most of whom ply their trade in France.There are no uncapped players and the squad features key figures like Ali M'Madi, Youssouf M'Changama, Nadjim Abdou and prolific scorer El Fardou Ben Nabouhane.Injured: NoneSuspended: NoneUnavailable: NoneESPN FC@ESPNFCPierre-Emerick Aubameyang has tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving for the Africa Cup of Nations after a video emerged of him partying in Dubai.6:38 AM · Jan 6, 2022145501230Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving for the Africa Cup of Nations after a video emerged of him partying in Dubai. https://t.co/unVCoFtNw3GabonThe Panthers have been hit with an early blow as their key goalscorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, tested positive for COVID-19 after a 'team party' in Dubai.He now has to self-isolate and remains a major doubt for Gabon's first two group matches against Comoros and Ghana.Denis Bouanga and Axel Meye may start in a two-pronged attack upfront.Injured: NoneSuspended: NoneUnavailable: Pierre-Emerick AubameyangComoros vs Gabon Predicted XIComoros (4-4-2): Ali Ahamada; Kassim Abdallah, Nadjim Abdou, Younn Zahary, Mohamed Youssouf; Faiz Mattoir, Yacine Bourhane, Rafidine Abdullah, Faïz Selemani; Mohamed M'Changama, Ahmed Mogni.Gabon (4-4-2): Anthony Mfa Mezui; Lloyd Palun, Anthony Oyono, Sidney Obissa, David Sambissa; Mario Lemina, André Biyogo Poko, Serge-Junior Martinsson Ngouali, Jim Allevinah; Denis Bouanga, Axel Méyé.Comoros vs Gabon PredictionThe loss of Aubameyang is obviously a big blow to Gabon, but the side still have some quality options in the attack to call upon.Comoros, ranked 43 places below them, are in their first AFCON tournament, and aren't expected to pull up trees.It should be a straight-forward win for the Panthers.Prediction: Comoros 1-2 Gabon