Guinea-Bissua hold hosts Garbon to draw at AFCON opener

In the opening game of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, first-timers Guinea-Bissau had their dream debut after holding host nation Garbon to a 1-1 draw in the tournament opener in Libreville.

The hosts scored through Pierre Aubameyang early in the second half when striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had the honour of scoring the first goal of the 32nd edition of the biennial competition.

The Borussia Dortmund striker, a former winner of the African player of the year prize, netted from close range to make it 1-0 in the 52nd minute after being set up by Denis Bouanga.

But Guinea Bissau got an equalizer through a diving header coming from Juary Suarez at stoppage time.

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Guinea Bissau had the better of the early exchanges, maintaining possession and looking more cohesive against a host team that started the match relying on ineffective long balls.

Gabon players later were causing one problem after another for the Guinea Bissau defence but lacked the killer touch on all eight of their first half shot attempts. Until in the second half when they opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, but were held to one point after a 90-minute equalizer from the visitors.

In the other Group A game, Cameroon will take on Burkina-Faso later on Saturday in the tournament’s second fixture.

Gabon will hope to bounce back from the opening day disappointment when they face Burkina Faso on Wednesday, while Guinea-Bissau will face Cameroon.

 

 

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