Gabon, Guinea Bissau share the spoils in opener

ruth

January 14, 2017 6:08 PM

Juary Soares grabbed a dramatic late equaliser for debutants Guinea-Bissau as they recovered from a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strike to hold hosts Gabon to a 1-1 draw in the Africa Cup of Nations opening game.

Gabon appeared to be heading for the victory in Saturday’s Group A curtain-raiser after Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang turned the ball in from close range seven minutes into the second half at the Stade de l’Amitie in the capital Libreville.

The home fans all expected the Dortmund star to make the difference in Libreville following his impressive performances at club level this campaign, having scored 20 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions.

The striker was largely anonymous in the opening 45 minutes, but there was no denying the 27-year-old after the break, as he tapped home from close range following some good work from Denis Bouanga, for the fifth AFCON goal of his career.

But the host nation never found fluency, with rank outsiders Guinea-Bissau posing a particular threat from set pieces.

Gabon paid for their failure to finish the game off in the 90th minute when Juary Soares sent a glancing header past Didier Ovono to secure a share of the spoils.

Boos rang out when the final whistle blew, and Gabon must up their game against Burkina Faso and Cameroon to avoid an early exit from their own tournament.

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ruth