Gabon’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign is in serious doubt after the hosts were held to another 1-1 draw by Burkina Faso at the Stade de l’Amitié in Libreville.
Prejuce Nakoulma put Burkina Faso ahead in the 22nd minute after coming on in the 11th minute for Jonathan Pitroipa – the striker appeared to have sustained a serious knee injury. Nakoulma held off two players to score after a great run from the edge of his own penalty area on to a clearance, to get the better of Gabon full-back, Johann Obiang, before striking the ball into the net.
Burkina Faso unfortunately, lost their lead when Aubameyang chased down a long ball from Merlin Tandjigora only to be fouled by Herve Koffi who swept Aubameyang’s feet, from under him. The Borussia Dortmund forward took the spot-kick and slotted neatly into the net.
Gabon thereafter showed no major signs of a threat until the last 10 minutes when midfielder, Denis Bouanga, received Aubameyang’s downward header in the box only to direct his shot too close to Koffi.
Bouanga almost redeemed himself when he made an excellent delivery into the box only to be headed off target, by an unmarked Kevyn Aboue Angoue.
Burkina Faso’s other best chance was created by Alain Traore, who cut into the box between two defenders and sent a shot towards the far corner only to see it well saved by Didier Ovono.
The draw means Gabon and Burkina Faso have two points each from their opening two games. Gabon plays Cameroon next while Burkina Faso will face Guinea-Bissau in the last game of the group stages.
Featured photo: Herve Koffi of Burkina Faso fouls Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and is penalized on the spot kick. (Gavin Barket/EPA
