Libya shocked Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon with a 2-1 defeat in their opening match in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

The Panthers gave up their early lead and conceded a goal in each half of Wednesday’s encounter which set them up to a poor start.

Andre Biyogo Poko got Gabon off to a flying start with his 11th-minute opener at the Martyrs of February Stadium but Libya responded shortly after with their equaliser.

In the 28th minute, Ali Salama drew Libya level and later in the second half, Sanad Al Warfali grabbed the match-winning goal that sealed maximum points for the hosts in the 89th minute.

Arsenal captain Aubameyang played the entire duration alongside Saint-Etienne’s Denis Bouanga and Nice’s Mario Lemina but they could not find the back of the net.

The result was Libya’s first win since November 2019 when they defeated Tanzania 2-1, and it their nine-game winless across all competitions.

They sit at the top of Group F with three points after a match while Gabon are third behind Egypt who defeated Angola 1-0 in Cairo.

In the absence of Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, Ahly star Mohamed Magdi Kafsha steered the Pharaohs to victory with his effort from the penalty spot in the fifth minute.

He stepped forward to convert after Zamalek’s Ahmed El Fotouh was brought down in the penalty area.