Libreville — Gabon celebrated a perfect start to the African Nations Cup but will have to be careful not to be seduced by a positive result against mediocre opposition.

The 2-0 triumph for the co-hosts of the 2012 tournament got the action in Libreville off to a rollicking start but the victory could prove deceptive.

Gabon were up against an inferior side, who were fortunate to have qualified for the Nations Cup in the first place.

Niger are making their debut at the tournament after years of being one of African football's whipping boys and their inexperience at this level of the game was all too evident.

They were a team who looked disorganised and defensively poor, particularly on the right-hand side where the Gabonese sped through at will and from where both goals came.

Their coach Harouna Doula admitted as much, saying that after a positive opening 20 minutes it all got the better of them.

Gabon took a while to warm up but once Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ghosted in at the back post to head home from under the arms of the flailing goalkeeper, the die was cast.

A second goal for Gabon, just on halftime, was superbly taken with a swift run down the left flank, a cross whipped in for Aubameyang to connect with a diving header, a superb save from Daouda Kassly but Stephane Nguema there to pick up the rebound and score from close range.

The 2-0 lead at half-time suggested Gabon could go on and win by a bigger margin but their finishing was not crisp and the heat and the occasion seemed to tire them out.

Niger created only two half chances for the bustling striker Moussa Maazou, who is obviously their danger man but who was closely watched by the Gabon defence.

Niger now face even more testing opponents in Morocco and Tunisia and will be careful not to suffer further calamity. It is highly unlikely they will go home with either a goal or a point - the best they can hope for is to avoid embarrassment.

Gabon coach Gernot Rohr made clear his belief that the real test for his players lay ahead in their next match against Morocco, but whether the squad, and an exciting home fan base, can keep their feet on the ground remains to be seen.

With Morocco having lost their opening game, the upcoming match on Friday is mouthwatering.