Having been eliminated at the group stage of the tournament at their only previous appearance in 2011, Rwanada knew they would be able to better that performance if they followed-up their opening day 1-0 win over the Ivory Coast with another triumph.

Gabon, though, made the brighter start of the sides as they controlled possession during the early stages of the tie, but the hosts gradually began to take the initiative as the half wore on.

The breakthrough came on the stroke of half-time as Ernest Sugira reacted quickest when the ball broke loose in the Gabon box to steer a shot underneath the goalkeeper Yves Bitseki Moto.

Sugira doubled his tally in the opening seconds of the second half after cutting onto his right foot on the edge of the Gabon area, before firing into the top corner.

In the 53rd minute, Aaron Boupendza brought his team back into the tie after reaching a cross ahead of Rwanda’s goalkeeper Ndayishimiye Eric to head into the net.

Gabon’s hopes of an equaliser were dented just five minutes later after Tchen Kabi was received his second yellow card, but they went close to levelling the scores four minutes from time as Stévy Nzambe hit the post.

Rwanda were able to hold on in a match watched by the country's First Lady Jeannette Kagame to move to six points from their opening two matches and appear poised to qualify as group winners.

The Ivory Coast were able to bounce back from their opening day defeat to move into second position in the group by overcoming Morocco.

A tense match was ultimately decided by a penalty, awarded in stoppage time at the end of the first-half, with Yannick Zakri Krahire holding his nerve to put the Ivory Coast into a 1-0 lead.

It proved to be the only goal of the tie as Morocco remained unable to find the net at tournament.

The victory leaves the Ivory Coast second in the group on three points, with Morocco and Gabon lying on one.

Rwanda are due to meet Morocco in their final game of the group on Sunday (January 24), while the Ivory Coast will take on Gabon.

The tournament, now its fourth edition, differs from the more elite Africa Cup of Nations, as only players who represent clubs on the continent are allowed to take part.

Defending champions Libya are not participating in the tournament after failing to come through the qualification tournament.