Guinea Bissau picks debut point at AFCON

GNA – Debutants Guinea Bissau forced host nation, Gabon to a one all draw in the opening match of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Gabon, playing host for the 2017 AFCON tournament was put ahead by their captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 51st minute, after a disappointing first half from both sides.

Guinea Bissau, who topped their group in the qualifies to AFCON 2107, looked more composed and purposeful with some inter-positional passes and swift ball controls, which tamed the Gabonese, with more stylish players in the make of Mario Lemina, Denis Athanase Bouanga and the Dortmund forward Aubameyang.

Gabon came into the second half of the game, looking more determined and purposeful which earned them their first goal with an assist from Bouanga who had put the back line of Guinea Bissau on their toes with his touches.

Head coach Baciro Cande of Guinea Bissau made two substitutions in the 60th and 65th minute, to add more speed to the team and pressure on a Gabonese team that went to sleep after their goal.

Aubameyang came close again in the 68th minute but his efforts were thwarted.

Coach José Antonio Camacho made his sides substitutions in the game in the 73rd and 82nd minutes respectively, to contain the threat from the debutants who were pushing for an equalizer with more incisive crosses into the Gabonese 18-yard boss.

Guinea Bissau who had been kept in the game throughout with two brilliant saves from goal keeper Rafael lopes, pushed for the equalizer by committing more men forward and forcing series of errors and free kicks from Gabon, with a clear chance at goal in the 84th from Mendes who misguided his header.

The heart breaking moments for the disappointing Gabonese, came in the 90th minute, when defender Juary Soares, who had been terrorizing the defence of Gabon headed home the equalizer.

The game, which ended with debutants Guinea Bissau having goal attempts of 11 compared to the host with 7 ended with a miss feeling from the 40,000 capacity stadium as both teams settled for a one all draw game with both coaches making use of all three substitutions available.

The next round of matches for both sides will be on 18th January 2017, as the host Gabon will take on Burkina Faso and debutants Guinea Bissau take on Cameroon.

GNA