Match ends, Equatorial Guinea 0, Burkina Faso 0.
Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea0Burkina FasoBurkina Faso0
Burkina Faso were twice denied by the woodwork as they were held by Equatorial Guinea in the first goalless draw of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Alain Traore curled a free-kick against the post on 19 minutes, and 20 minutes later his volley was tipped on to the same upright by keeper Didier Ovono.
The Burkinabe also came close after the break when Jonathan Pitroipa should have converted a far-post cross.
Doualla missed Equatorial's clearest scoring chance when he blazed over.
Having suffered a surprise defeat to Gabon in their opening match, 2013 runners-up Burkina Faso were eager to produce a better display against the tournament hosts in their second Group A game.
And the Stallions carved out the best chances throughout, but a combination of bad luck and woeful finishing has left their tournament fate out of their hands.
Equatorial Guinea might consider themselves fortunate to have collected their second draw from two games, although they had opportunities of their own to have taken all three points.
That said, the Burkinabe should have built a healthy lead in the opening half.
Although Alain Traore was unfortunate to see two good efforts come back off the woodwork, he also wasted two other good chances with inaccurate finishing.
His brother Bertrand showed similar waywardness in front of goal as Equatorial Guinea somehow escaped with their goal intact.
The hosts also rode their luck when Jonathan Pitroipa's superb run was cynically stopped by Diosdado Mbele, who was shown a yellow card that could easily have been red as he appeared to be the last man in defence.
Seven minutes into the second half Pitroipa contrived to miss the ball when a touch at the post would have broken the deadlock and shortly after Bertrand Traore volleyed over.
With a draw a poor result for the Burkinabe they pushed forward and it began to leave space at the back.
Equatorial Guinea almost exploited it when Javier Balboa played in Doualla but his wild finish was entirely in keeping with the game thus far.
Kike's selfishness, shooting high when his team-mates were well-placed, robbed Equatorial of another chance to snatch the lead.
Burkina's final opportunity fell to Alain Traore but the forward could not find the target, leaving his side without a goal in two games and their tournament hopes having by a thread.
As for Equatorial Guinea, they need to beat Gabon on Sunday in their final group match to ensure their place in the quarter-finals.
Burkina Faso coach Paul Put:
"We had chances, but the same problem, finishing. Unfortunately, we cannot score and that's the problem."
Line-ups
Equatorial Guinea
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Ovono
- 8Iyanga Travieso
- 5MbeleBooked at 28mins
- 4Da Gracia Gomes
- 16Bohale Aqueriaco
- 21Zarandona Esono
- 18Ellong
- 14SenobuaSubstituted forBoladoat 82'minutes
- 11BalboaSubstituted forFabiani Bosioat 84'minutes
- 15EdúSubstituted forEdjogo-Owono Montalbánat 71'minutes
- 10Nsue
Substitutes
- 2Vázquez Evuy
- 3Engonga
- 6Edjogo-Owono Montalbán
- 7Belima
- 9Fabiani Bosio
- 12Bolado
- 13Embela
- 17Obama Nsue Ondo
- 19Briones
- 20Maye
- 22Ganet
- 23Mosibe
Burkina Faso
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 23Sanou
- 5Koffi
- 2Yago
- 4Koné
- 9GouoBooked at 22mins
- 6Kone
- 18Kaboré
- 19Traore
- 10Traoré
- 11PitroipaSubstituted forNakoulmaat 82'minutes
- 15Bancé
Substitutes
- 1Fofana
- 3Yedan
- 7Rouamba
- 8Koulibaly
- 12Guira
- 13Bambara
- 14Balima
- 16Soulama
- 20Ouédraogo
- 21Traore
- 22Nakoulma
- Referee:
- Néant Alioum
Match Stats
Home TeamEquatorial GuineaAway TeamBurkina Faso
- Possession
- Home43%
- Away57%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away17
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away4
- Corners
- Home5
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Equatorial Guinea 0, Burkina Faso 0.
Post update
Charles Kaboré (Burkina Faso) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Iván Bolado (Equatorial Guinea).
Post update
Foul by Aristide Bancé (Burkina Faso).
Post update
Iván Zarandona (Equatorial Guinea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Diosdado Mbele (Equatorial Guinea) because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt missed. Prejuce Nakoulma (Burkina Faso) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Djakaridja Koné.
Post update
Attempt missed. Steeve Yago (Burkina Faso) header from a difficult angle on the right misses to the right. Assisted by Alain Traoré with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Burkina Faso. Conceded by Iván Zarandona.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Charles Kaboré.
Post update
Offside, Burkina Faso. Bakary Koné tries a through ball, but Alain Traoré is caught offside.
Post update
Corner, Equatorial Guinea. Conceded by Mohamed Koffi.
Substitution
Substitution, Equatorial Guinea. Fabiani replaces Javier Balboa.
Substitution
Substitution, Burkina Faso. Prejuce Nakoulma replaces Jonathan Pitroipa.
Substitution
Substitution, Equatorial Guinea. Iván Bolado replaces Kike.
Post update
Attempt missed. Javier Balboa (Equatorial Guinea) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Viera Ellong.
Post update
Attempt missed. Alain Traoré (Burkina Faso) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Aristide Bancé.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jonathan Pitroipa (Burkina Faso) right footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high.
