Afcon 2015: Day five as it happened

1. Congo win first Afcon match since 1974
2. Oniangue gives Congo shock lead
3. Congo have one point after first match
4. FT: Burkina Faso 0-0 Equatorial Guinea
5. Equatorial Guinea with two points in Group A
6. GET INVOLVED: Who has impressed so far? #bbcafcon2015

Goodbye

That's it from us for today. Thanks for staying with us - we had to wait a long time for a goal, but Congo's Prince Oniangue eventually delivered.

Join us tomorrow for some more Afcon action - we begin with Tunisia v Zambia at around 15:30 GMT. Until then, adios.

BBC Sport

Before we go, a look at the Group A table. As you can see, Congo have surged to the top of the table after that victory, and a draw against Burkina Faso in their final match will probably be enough for Claude Le Roy's side.

Gabon slip from top spot after that defeat but are still well-placed to qualify, as long as they can overcome the hosts Equatorial Guinea in their final match.

BBC Sport

The stats show that Gabon probably had the better of that match overall, but it counts for nothing if you don't take your chances and four shots on target out of 14 tells the story of their profligacy in front of goal.

After the first half, you wouldn't have predicted a Congo victory, but they improved after the break and took advantage of some slack defending from a corner to score the game's decisive goal.

Claude Le Roy's side defended resolutely thereafter for the most part, but Gabon missed a huge chance to draw level when Frederic Bulot side-footed wide with the goal at his mercy.

They will rue that miss, but it's not over for the Panthers. Their win in their first match means they are still well-placed to qualify.

FULL-TIME

No, it's all over! Congo claim their first win in this tournament for four decades, and go top of Group A.

Congo have the ball in the Gabon half and are passing it around with confidence. But a rash pass out of play gives Gabon the chance for one last attack...

Jorge Costa cuts a forlorn figure on the sideline. His side give away a needless foul and allow Congo the opportunity to eat up some more of the clock.

Four added minutes it is. Can Congo hold out for their first Afcon victory since 1974?

AP

We've now had six substitutions in this second half, and a few injury stoppages, so there could be plenty of stoppage time here.

SUBSTITUTION

A change apiece. Congo bring on defender Francis N'Ganga for Arnold Moutou, while Gabon introduce striker Johann Lengoulama in place of Frederic Bulot. How costly could his miss prove?

Five minutes for Congo to hold out. As it stands, they're going top of Group A.

SUBSTITUTION

Palun's cross flicks off Bissiki and Gabon have a corner. Meanwhile, Madinda, who has been one of Gabon's brightest players, is replaced by Samson Mbingui.

AP

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Bata: Pretty sure I've just seen Claude Le Roy checking his phone...whatsapp from Roger Milla?

There are few things in this world I can teach such an experienced coach but this is one...if you're after the wifi Claude, you'll be waiting a while.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang holds out his hands in exasperation as Madinda spurns his calls for a pass and again goes for goal. It's comfortably dealt with by Mafoumbi.

CLOSE!

A really good move from Gabon, and they nearly draw level. Madinda cuts in from the right and plays a lovely give-and-go with Kanga, but he snatches at the shot and fires it into the side netting.

Congo keeper Christopher Mafoumbi is just 20 years old. He's acquitted himself well so far though. Can Gabon test the youngster as we enter the last ten minutes?

Congo are getting chances as Gabon are forced to commit a few more men forward. A cross is swung in from the left and Moutou heads over the bar.

AFP

SUBSTITUTION

Another change for Congo. Chris Malonga replaces Dore.

YELLOW CARD

AP

Congo have another promising counter-attack snuffed out by a cynical challenge from Poko on N'Guessi, who has just been subbed on for Gandze. Poko goes into the book.

Big chance for Congo as they get a three-on-three situation on the break, but they work it poorly and Gabon survive. Claude Le Roy goes postal on the touchline.

Gabon manager Jorge Costa has a look of consternation on his face as Madinda goes clean through but is called back by the linesman's flag. Replays suggest that decision was marginal at best.

CLOSE!

Gabon should be level. Aubameyang plays a lovely reverse pass to slip in Evouna, keeper Mafoumbi comes out to deny him but the ball rebounds to Bulot, who has the goal at this mercy but somehow steers his finish wide. A massive let-off for Congo.

Finally, we see some inspiration from Gabon talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He scampers onto an excellent ball over the top by Madinda and digs out a lovely cross that just eludes the head of Appindangoye. Better from Gabon.

Congo look a different side - they are by no means sitting back on their lead here. They are playing the ball about nicely in the Gabon half with renewed confidence. Remember, the Red Devils are looking for their first Afcon victory since 1974. If you need any reminding how long ago that was, that was the year that Abba won the Eurovision Song Contest.

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AFP

Teddy Fleuridon: Well done Congo, we are behind you all the way. Proud to be Congolese.

Gabon are just forcing the issue a little here. Madinda tracks in from the right but he can't pick a pass and ends up sending a tame shot wide of the post. It's deflected, the referee says, and from the corner, Madinda stays deep and again gets a shot away, this time rising over the top.

SUBSTITUTION

Gabon coach Jorge Costa has seen enough. He plays his first card, removing N'Dong and throwing on Guelor Kanga.

Meanwhile, an extraordinary sartorial emergency as Congo's Thievy Bifouma is ordered off the pitch by the referee to change his socks. You don't see that every day. White undersocks are the culprit, apparently.

CLOSE!

It could have been 2-0 to Congo - the ball is crossed to the edge of the box, where Oniangue larrups it goalwards. It was straight at the keeper - either side and the net would have bulged.

AP

Now, how can Gabon respond? They were the better side in the first half, but couldn't find that cutting edge - they will need to find it now if they are to avoid an upset.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Bata: Classic Claude Le Roy! Only had his hands in the air in celebration for about ten seconds before he was switched on again and gesticulating for his players to stay calm. It was a bit like the David Beckham reaction when England took the lead at Euro 2004 against France...that worked out well.

That's the first goal that Gabon keeper Didier Ovono has conceded in this tournament, and he's less than delighted. He picks the ball out of the net and throws it at his defenders.

GOAL

AP

Congo strike with their first attack of the second half. Cardiff's Bruno Manga comes across to concede a corner. The ball is whipped into the area, Manga and Appindangoye get in each other's way as they try to clear, and the ball drops for Congo captain Prince Oniangue to fire into the bottom corner. Now we have a game on!

Thievy Bifouma, who was injured towards the end of that first half, has reappeared for Congo. The physios have clearly been hard at work with the magic spray.

KICK-OFF

The referee blows his whistle to commence our final half of Afcon football for today. Any chance of a goal in this one?

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Ejikeme Ike IkeChi: I really want Gabon to win this, sincerely i love the way they play and that guy called Aubameyang. Perfect African football.

BBC

Gabon having plenty of possession but only three shots on target from them in that first half. Congo failed to find their radar once.

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Michael Blighe: Re: Kwesi. San Marino instantly spring to mind

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Kwesi Banson Jnr: Is there a worse record than that of #Congo in any Tournament ??

Good question Kwesi. Anyone?

So, a rather scrappy first half. Gabon looked the better side but struggled to translate their superiority into clear chances. Congo coach Claude Le Roy will probably be quite pleased with the way his unfancied team have acquitted themselves, but will have big worries over an injury to key man Thievy Bifouma. A goal for either side would leave them very well-placed in this group.

BBC

BBC Sport's Alex South in Equatorial Guinea: About to interview Kolo Toure. Guinea and Ivory Coast in same hotel and great to see the players mix .

HALF-TIME

Congo's Boris Moubhibo picks up the first booking of the match for handball. The free-kick comes to nothing, and that is half-time.

Aubameyang finds a bit of space down the left, but his cross is cut out and Congo have a chance to counterattack. The limping Bifouma plays a good pass to find Dore on the right wing but his centre is poor.

CLOSE!

Gabon go close as at last they find a cutting edge in the final third. Palun knocks a ball forward down the inside-right channel towards Madinda, who does brilliantly to flick it over the defender's head, before firing just wide across the face of goal. Bifouma is back on for Congo, but moving gingerly - perhaps just waiting for a full assessment at half-time.

Congo's star man Thievy Bifouma is down here, and Claude Le Roy looks worried. The challenge looked innocuous enough, but the stretcher is out and the striker is holding his face in distress here. His race looks run.

Lovely flick from Madinda to release Bulot down the left, but his curling cross is well claimed by Mafoumbi. Both sides struggling to find that quality in the final third so far.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Bata: Congo boss Claude Le Roy told me before the game he thought there was a big difference in strength between Gabon's attack and their defence, he also said Thievy Bifouma is as good as Roger Milla. Those two things combined should have made for a more fruitful half than Congo have enjoyed.

Having said that, they're not struggling particularly, just not creating enough.

Madinda tries to tease a ball through for Evouna, but the Congo defender gets a toe to it ahead of the striker and Mafoumbi is able to gather. Both sides are trying to play through the middle here, with little effectiveness. Congo win a corner down the other end and hit it straight into touch. Very sloppy.

BBC

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Bata: Some of the home fans just trying to touch their heroes. The electric batons came out to keep them back.

Hosts Equatorial Guinea drew 0-0 with Burkina Faso earlier today.

OUCH!

Congo midfielder Dore gets caught in the face by a flailing arm from Madinda, and there's a short break while he leaves the pitch to receive treatment. A goal here would not go amiss.

AFP

Congo have a free kick out wide right but Ovono is out quickly to punch clear a decent delivery from Bifouma. This match has just settled down after a frenetic opening, but it is Gabon who look the more comfortable in possession.

Congo coach Claude Le Roy is in the dugout for his eighth Cup of Nations. He's previously taken charge of Senegal and DR Congo, and won the tournament with Cameroon in 1988. His side look second best so far, but they're holding firm.

Getty Images

This dates back to 1974... It has been a long wait.

Gabon have a free-kick out by the corner flag but Bulot's delivery is poor and Mafoumbi claims easily.

Gabon are in the ascendancy now. Poko shoots just over from outside the area after more good work from Madinda.

CLOSE!

How does this not go in? Madinda plays in Evouna from the left and the striker bursts through the middle of the Congo defence. The keeper comes out to smother as he shoots and the ball somehow ricochets off defender Bissiki and dribbles agonisingly wide of the unguarded net.

Congo have started well here. A long ball is lofted into the area and Moutou, perhaps suffering from pretensions of his almost-namesake Adrian, decides to smash it goalwards from a tight angle when he probably should have squared.

Moutou shows a good turn of pace for Congo down the right and Palun brings him down rashly. Another promising position for a free kick. But Bifouma's delivery is dreadful - he scuffs it along the floor and Gabon hack clear. Must do better.

Getty Images

Despite their underdog status, Congo aren't afraid to pass the ball about in the middle of the park. Ferebory Dore, of Romanian team CFR Cluj, in particular has shown some nice touches. It looks like they're playing a 4-2-3-1, with Bifouma the lone man up top.

Congo surge downfield and win a corner of their own, but they waste it and Gabon race clear on the break. Evouna is storming through the middle and screaming for the ball, but the ball is played wide instead and the counter-attack founders. Frenetic start to this match.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Bata: Sound of electric batons everywhere, fans pounding on wooden walls of the Mixed Zone. Saw a few people get hit as they tried to get close to the Equatorial Guinea players.

AFP

Gabon have started with the confidence of a team who earned a good victory in their opening match. Bulot is involved in some good interplay down the right and sends in a teasing cross which is nervously bundled behind for a corner.

GREAT SAVE!

What an effort that is. Gabon whip in a fine ball from the left, it's cleverly touched off by Evouna on the edge of the area and Charlton man Frederic Bulot meets it with a cracking volley that Mafoumbi does brilliantly to tip over. The corner is headed clear.

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AFP

Andrew Priestley: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a real form player, when he's up for it he hits hot streaks. This could be his tournament.

Now it's Gabon's turn to get on the front foot, and a surging run from Madinda draws a foul. The free-kick is quickly taken out wide but the cross comes to nothing.

Congo have an early free-kick in a decent position on the right, and former West Brom man Thievy Bifouma curls in a delicious delivery. It just eludes the heads of his team mates, and keeper Didier Ovono is able to gather.

KICK-OFF

We're underway in this evening's second match...

AFP

The anthems are belted out lustily. These two countries neighbour each other in central Africa, by the way, so this could be pretty tasty.

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Mitch Mansfield: There wasn't a single draw in all 24 #AsianCup2015 group games. Already 6 in 9 at #AFCON2015. Coincidental or instructive?

LINE-UPS

Gabon: Ovono, Poko, Appindangoye, Ecuele Manga, Palun, Obiang, Madinda, Bulot, Evouna, Ndong, Aubameyang.

Congo: Mafoumbi, Babele, Baudry, Moutou, Bissiki, Ngounga, Oniangue, Gandze, Ndinga, Koulossa, Ferebory.

Congo's chance for glory

Congo, managed by the highly experienced coach Claude Le Roy, picked up a point in their opening match after netting a late equaliser against Equatorial Guinea.

They haven't even qualified for Afcon since 2000, but the draw in today's earlier match between Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso means they can put themselves in a great position to advance to the knockout stages with a result tonight.

Midfielder Delvin N'Dinga, who plays for Olympiakos in Greece, could be a key man for them tonight as they seek to neutralise Gabon's attacking threat.

Gabon gunning for top spot

Gabon were impressive in their opening match, seeing off Burkina Faso 2-0 with goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malick Evouna.

Star man Aubameyang, of Borussia Dortmund, was lively, but arguably the top performer was goalkeeper Didier Ovono, who pulled off a string of impressive saves.

Win tonight, and the Panthers will be into the knockout stages for only the third time in their history.

Next up, we turn our attentions to Gabon v Congo.

As we've mentioned, we could see our first team through to the quarter-finals this evening, as Gabon will advance as group winners with victory tonight. However, Congo could put themselves in a very strong position with a win, and they're no pushovers - they knocked out defending Afcon champs Nigeria in the qualifying stages.

If nothing else, live text commentators will be pleased to see two nice five-letter teams in action after the opening game between Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso.

Ebola checks for fans

Of course, the Ebola virus has cast a huge shadow over this tournament, and there have been practical implications for the spectators too - anyone going to watch a match in Equatorial Guinea must have their temperature taken and use hand-sanitiser gel before entering the stadium.

Our man in Equatorial Guinea, Alex South, has put together a short video to show the checks that supporters have to undergo.

You know the score

AFP

Here's a little curiosity for you stats fans: five of the nine games at Afcon 2015 so far have ended 1-1. It would have been six if Senegal's Moussa Sow hadn't scored a last-second winner against Ghana.

In fact, only three teams have kept a clean sheet so far. Top marks if you said Gabon, who shut out Burkina Faso on the opening day, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.

Will we see another 1-1 today?

Tournament news

Tunisia coach Georges Leekens: "This morning at 2 o'clock there was a lot of water in the rooms in our hotel - we had to change rooms, some of the players were sleeping four in a room.

"We have had some adaptation problems here, with the hotel and everything., But we are mentally strong. We have to concentrate on Thursday's game against Zambia now and not worry about the small problems, such as the hotel."

Tournament news

BBC Sport's Nick Cavell in Equatorial Guinea: Cape Verde coach Rui Aguas admits that he has one or two injury problems that mean he will probably have to make changes for Thursday's match against DR Congo. However he would not say who he is concerned about and how it might affect his team. He says his team need to be more balanced than they were against Tunisia.

Right, onto the next one now.

Gabon know a win over Congo will see them through as Group A winners.

Ready? Good. Just 45 minutes to kick-off.

Some post-game stats for you to digest, and they don't make happy reading for Burkinabe fans.

The Stallions have now registered just one win in their last 19 Africa Cup of Nations group games (D7 L11). They have mustered a competition-high 38 shots so far at this tournament, yet they have yet to score a goal.

Before you gloat, Equatorial Guinea fans, your lot aren't much better - they have netted just one goal in their last four Africa Cup of Nations games.

Meanwhile, trouble of a different nature for the Tunisia team, as BBC Sport's Nick Cavell in Equatorial Guinea reports.

Tunisia coach George Leekens is the latest coach to suffer hotel problems at this Nations Cup as he told journalists that they had a new "swimming pool." It appears two of the delegation were forced to leave their rooms in the early hours of the morning due to flooding. He seemed relaxed but admitted it was not the best preparation for a big game.

Trouble in Bata

BBC Sport correspondent Alex South on Twitter: More trouble outside the stadium in Bata. Police were attacked with stones and responded by using smoke bombs.

BBC Sport

A look at the Group A table shows that that result keeps Burkina Faso rooted to the bottom of Group A. They will need to win their last match, against Congo, and hope that Gabon can do them a favour by beating Equatorial Guinea.

The hosts aren't quite so up against it but they will probably still need to beat Gabon in their final match to advance.

The big winners, of course, are the other teams in the group. Gabon will now be assured of qualifying as group winners if they can beat Congo in this evening's second match.

Reuters

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Bata: Water bottles were flying everywhere at full time.

Paul Put sent one skimming over the running track whilst Aristide Bance slammed his into the floor after a frustrating night for Burkina Faso.

Equatorial Guinea Head Coach Esteban Becker is far happier with a point though. His hands must be sore from the 90 seconds or so that he spent applauding every one of his players off the pitch.

A vital result which was probably seven parts luck, three parts heart.

BBC Sport

Looking back, the stats suggest that Burkina Faso will probably feel they had the better of that game. Wayward finishing was a recurring theme of that match and it's no surprise to see that both sides failed to get the vast majority of their efforts on target.

FULL-TIME

That's it, it's all over and we have our first goalless draw of the tournament. Chances aplenty for both sides, but a lack of composure in front of goal proved the telling factor. A draw was probably a fair result, but both sides face a tough ask to qualify now. Burkina Faso have now gone 180 minutes without finding the net and the odds on them replicating their 2013 run to the final must be very long indeed.

Both sides have run out of steam here. A hopeful ball is played up towards Alain Traore but the striker can only get a glancing touch with his header and the ball trickles out of play. Burkina Faso look like they're going to go a second game without scoring - every other team scored in their first game. Three added minutes.

Heart-stopping moments in the Burkina Faso defence as Koffi completely misses his clearance inside the six-yard box with Bosio lurking. He just about manages to clear his lines at the second time of asking.

Getty Images

How they could do with some more magic now...

Now, the hosts have a corner and beanpole Bosio has been detailed to stand on keeper Germain Sanou's toes. It's a good delivery too, into the danger area and the keeper does well to punch it away.

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BBC Sport's John Bennett: Gervinho has been banned for two games. He'll miss both group games & will only play again at #afcon2015 if Ivory Coast make the last 8.

AFP

A point isn't a great result for either side here. It would leave both teams needing to win their final matches, Equatorial Guinea against Gabon, and Burkina against Congo. Can anyone find a winner?

SUBSTITUTION

And another one for the hosts, 6ft 6in striker Bosio replaces Javier Balboa. That's a big call from Esteban Becker, Balboa's looked Equatorial Guinea's most creative player.

SUBSTITUTION

A change apiece. Prejuce Nakoulma enters the fray for Burkina in place of Jonathan Pitroipa, and Ivan Bolado replaces Kike for the hosts.

The spaces are opening up for Burkina here as Equatorial Guinea tire. Bertrand Traore is wide open down the right and has all the time in the world to pick out a good cross, but his curling delivery can only locate the gloves of Ovono with Bance lurking.

CLOSE!

Another very presentable chance goes begging for Burkina. The powerfully-built Bance bustles down the right and manages to sneak the ball inside to the fast-arriving Alain Traore, but he smashes it narrowly wide. Somebody hit the target!

Burkina are back on the attack. A delicious backheel from Bertrand Traore releases Koffi on the overlap, his cross is overhit but it falls nicely for Pitroipa. It's the same old story though, he fires the ball over the bar.

Another golden chance for the hosts, another wild finish! Balboa's through-ball finds Kike, he cuts inside cleverly but doesn't get his head up and see his team-mates queuing up for the ball - instead he blazes it high and wide. Can anyone in this match produce a composed finish?

Getty Images

SUBSTITUTION

We do indeed see our first change, and it's Equatorial Guinea who make it - 35-year-old midfielder Juvenal, who plays his club football in Andorra, comes on to replace Edu Salvador.

A bit of a lull in the action as we enter the final 20 minutes. Will we see a tactical substitution from either bench? Another Burkina attack comes to nought as Ovono gathers at the feet of Bance.

Reuters

The action is absolutely frenetic here - surely it can't end 0-0? Now it's Burkina's turn to attack, with Bance running powerfully from midfield, trying his luck from 20 yards and forcing Ovono to get down and parry.

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Andrew Priestley: Judging by the performance vs Gabon and today's effort so far, Burkina Faso have no chance of repeating their 2013 heroics!

Kike is in the thick of the action now. He crafts an opportunity all for himself, picking the ball up on the edge of the area and tricking his way past a couple of challenges to open up space for a shot, but his rasping effort is central and comfortably dealt with by Germain Sanou. Still, Burkina coach Paul Put has a worried look on his face - remember Burkina could be out if they lose here.

A superb crossfield pass finds Kike over top and he advances into the penalty area. Yago meets him with a strong challenge, and once again the hosts' penalty appeals fall on deaf ears.

Getty Images

What a chance for the hosts now! Javier Balboa is allowed to surge practically unchallenged towards the penalty area, he plays in Doualla down the inside-right, but the midfielder blazes his finish over the top. Composure!

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the-dan-horler: Really enjoyed watching both of the Congo sides. Both very skilful and attacking. Proper African football.

Burkina Faso are knocking on the door here. Mohammed Koffi sends in a deep, curling cross from the right and Bertrand Traore meets it with a sweet first-time volley that flashes over the bar.

CLOSE!

That's a huge chance for Burkina Faso! A deep cross is played to the far post, Bance heads it across goal, where Pitroipa is lurking. Any touch is a goal, but the man who top-scored in qualifying misses it completely. Big let-off for the hosts.

Reuters

Equatorial Guinea are looking much better, and Doualla wants a free kick as he flops over a challenge from Charles Kabore on the edge of the area. The referee waves away his appeals, then adds insult to injury by accidentally flattening Salvador Edu.

BBC Sport's Steve Cross man in Bata: Bottles, smoke grenades and stones were being thrown by around 300 fans outside the stadium as the match kicked off here. Inside the Estadio de Bata now you'd never know but yet again violent clashes are marring this tournament.

After the opening game I saw a 15ft iron gate contorted out of shape and hanging off its hinges...expecting more of the same when I leave tonight.

A decent start to the second period for the hosts. Zarandona lofts a ball over the top towards Nsue, Yago forces him wide, but the Middlesbrough man holds it up and Salvador Edu knocks in an inviting cross, which Kike blazes over.

KICK-OFF

We're back underway in Bata. No changes for either side.

Equatorial Guinea lodge protest

While we wait for the resumption of proceedings, some news from the Equatorial Guinea camp.

As we mentioned, their star striker Emilio Nsue had a second goal disallowed in their opening match against Congo even though he appeared to be onside.

Equatorial Guinea are so incensed that their football association (the brilliantly named Feguifut) have lodged a formal protest to Caf, claiming that the dodgy decision is "part of a planned action to complicate the passing of the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea to the quarterfinals".

What they may not have mentioned: the goal that Nsue did score against Congo appeared to be marginally offside.

BBC

Not much in it possession wise, but Burkina Faso have been the far more threatening as you can see from the graphic above.

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ALFRED PAAPA DARKWAH: Gabon has been very impressive but as to whether they can carry on to the end is another issue.

You have watched every team once now, so who has impressed you so far in Afcon 2015? Let us know via #bbcafcon2015.

Getty Images

HALF-TIME

And the referee puts his whistle to his lips. Equatorial Guinea will be by far the more grateful of the two sides for the interval, they were on the ropes at the end. Burkina Faso were in control for most of that half and showed the pedigree of former finalists, but a combination of the woodwork and some patchy finishing denied them a goal and they remain the only side yet to find the net at Afcon 2015.

All to play for in the second period then...

AFP

Plenty of space for Bertrand Traore down the left and he uses it well, tricking his way into the penalty box. He finds his brother Alain with a neat cut-back but his elder sibling blazes over. They'll be discussing that one over the breakfast table tomorrow morning.

Much better from the hosts. Doualla swings in a good cross from the right and Nsue does well to control it on his chest before lining up a shot, which is blocked.

Equatorial Guinea are being opened up. Another good Burkina Faso cross from the right is well met by a measured volley from Bertrand Traore and it's hacked clear by a defender with the keeper sprawling. The hosts are really under the cosh here.

HITS THE WOODWORK

AFP

Burkina Faso are ending the half in the ascendancy here. Djakaridja Kone swings in a cross, Alain Traore watches it the whole way and swings a foot at it on the volley, but Ovono does well to tip it onto the post and Equatorial Guinea somehow scramble it away. Then Bertrand Traore gets in down the inside-left and forces another smart save from Ovono.

Neat play from Djakaridja Kone gets Bance away down the right for Burkina, but the striker's attempted cross lands in no-man's land. The final ball just hasn't been good enough from Burkina so far.

Chance here for the hosts. Equatorial Guinea full-back Sipo makes a barnstorming run and latches onto Balboa's through-ball in the penalty area. There should be men in the middle waiting for a cut-back, but no-one's there and Sipo goes for goal, forcing Sanou into a smart save at his near post.

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Sarah Morgan: Gabon's performance did merit wonderfully exuberant celebrations - strong on strategy, cohesion and entertainment.

You have watched every team once now, so who has impressed you so far in Afcon 2015? Let us know via #bbcafcon2015.

Burkina Faso waste that free kick, but they get another one almost instantly as Randy brings down Charles Kabore. The Stallions are on top here. The free kick is rolled short to Aristide Bance, who stings the gloves of Ovono with a powerful, swerving shot.

YELLOW CARD

Reuters

From that situation, Burkina scamper upfield with Equatorial Guinea undermanned at the back, and with Pitroipa bearing down menacingly on goal, Mbele cynically cleans him out with a wild sliding challenge. The referee decides to brandish a yellow, I think Mbele can count himself very lucky there. Nonetheless, he will be suspended for the next match against Gabon.

Burkina keeper Germain Sanou gathers that ball from the free kick, but has he carried that outside his box? The referee says yes, but replays show that was the wrong decision. From the free kick Sanou palms out Balboa's inswinging ball.

Edu Salvador, sporting a rather natty Equatorial Guinea wristband, shows some lovely tricky footwork to draw a foul about twenty-five yards out. The youngster certainly doesn't lack confidence, as he proves by stepping to take the kick. The wall does its job though.

YELLOW CARD

Burkina Faso are the better side at the moment, they're just missing that little bit of quality in the final third. And it is they who pick up the game's first yellow card, Issa Gouo going into the referee's notebook for an accidental-looking handball as he falls over. Looked a bit harsh, that.

Getty Images

HITS THE WOODWORK

And it's against the post from Alain Traore! A lovely effort, bending it around the near side of the five-man wall with his left peg. The keeper wasn't getting there...

Good movement from Burkina Faso almost elicits a chance as Bertrand Traore tries to slide in Jonathan Pitroipa, but the striker is correctly ruled offside. However, the referee calls play back for a foul on Traore and the Stallions have a promising free-kick...

PENALTY APPEAL

Another hopeful penalty appeal from the hosts as the immaculately-coiffed Edu Salvador falls over under the attentions of Mohammed Koffi, but there's nothing wrong with that, the defender was just too powerful for him. Strong Koffi, you might say.

Neat interplay down the right wing by the hosts, but Nsue's cross is cut out by Bakary Kone. Equatorial Guinea are beginning to look more comfortable on the ball though. Both sides struggling to open up the opposing defence at the moment - Alain Traore tries to get an early cross in for Burkina but drifts it behind for a goalkick. Not much quality on show so far.

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Iban is also know by his full name Edu Salvador...

Intakes of breath in the stadium as it threatens to open up for Burkina Faso for a split-second, as Jonathan Pitroipa tries to slide in Bance, but the Equatorial Guinea defence recover to snuff out the danger. An early glimpse of the danger that Pitroipa can create though. Then up the other end, half a chance for teenage striker Edu Salvador, but his header loops harmlessly out of play.

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Kike shows nice skill to draw a foul from Gouo, and Equatorial Guinea have a free kick in a dangerous area. Kike insists on taking it, and blots his copybook by floating it innocuously over the bar. Wasteful.

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Djakaridja Kone tries to slide in Bertrand Traore down the inside-right channel for Burkina but the Chelsea man is marginally offside. Then Equatorial Guinea surge down the other end, and there are optimistic shouts for a penalty from the home fans as Nsue flops to the the ground, but nothing doing - that was a good strong challenge by Yago.

A slighty scrappy opening, Burkina Faso looking the more comfortable on the ball of the sides. The main team news for the Stallions is the return to the starting line-up of striker Aristide Bance, a key man in their run to the final last time.

KICK-OFF

We're underway. The Equatorial Guinea strikers kick off, one of them wearing CR7 boots.

Reuters

A crackling atmosphere in Bata, even if it is a Wednesday afternoon. A rousing chorus of the Equato-Guinean anthem, which as you knew is called 'Caminemos pisando las sendas de nuestra inmensa felicidad', which translates as 'Let us walk the paths of our immense happiness'.

Stern expressions on the faces of the Burkinabe, who of course are determined to block the host nation's path to immense happiness.

LINE-UPS

Burkina Faso: Sanou, Koffi, Bakary Kone, Yago, Gouo, Djakaridja Kone, Kabore ; Bertrand Traore, Alain Traore, Pitroipa; Bance.

Equatorial Guinea: Ovono, Randy, Mbele, Rui, Sipo; Zarandona, Doualla, Kike Boula, Javi Balboa, Nsue, Edu Salvado.

So Faso disappointing

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Of course, Burkina Faso will have their own point to prove today. They were hotly tipped to do well in this tournament after finishing runners-up last time out, but suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Gabon in their first game.

Paul Put's side have a much-vaunted forward line, including Afcon qualifying top scorer Jonathan Pitroipa and Chelsea starlet Bertrand Traore, but they drew a blank as Gabon keeper Didier Ovono turned in an inspired performance.

They will need to bounce back strongly today, as another defeat could spell the end of their 2015 Afcon dreams.

Hosts look to build on solid start

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Equatorial Guinea will be looking to build on a very respectable showing the tournament's curtain-raiser, when they held Congo to a 1-1 draw.

If for some unaccountable reason you had better things to do with your Saturday afternoon, allow us to recap. Middlesbrough's Emilio Nsue (not to be confused with fondly-remembered former Liverpool full-back Emiliano Insua) gave the hosts the lead with a cool finish, and was cruelly denied a second when the referee incorrectly chalked off a superb lob for offside.

However, the hosts faded in the latter stages, allowing Congo to steal a late equaliser through Thievy Bifouma. A battling draw was no disaster though, and they'll fancy their chances of springing a surprise against Burkina Faso this afternoon.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations! Today we begin the second round of group-stage fixtures.

That means another look at the four teams in Group A. Later on we'll see if Gabon can claim their second win of the tournament against Congo, but first we focus on the hosts. Equatorial Guinea v Burkina Faso is the first match, and whilst it may not be a clash of global heavyweights, it has the potential to be an under-the-radar classic.

Zeroes to heroes?

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Equatorial Guinea shouldn't have been at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. The National Thunder were disqualified from the qualifying competition after fielding an ineligible player during a first-round tie against Mauritania, and had to look on longingly as their continental neighbours slugged it out for a place in the finals.

But their story wasn't over. Designated host nation Morocco pulled out due to fears over the Ebola virus, and when Caf came calling for a new host at two months' notice, Equatorial Guinea put its hand up. From zero to hero - like a naughty sixth-former banned from the school field trip for smoking behind the bike sheds, only to save the day when the coach breaks down by offering to let their classmates camp out in their back garden.

Now the new hosts have a chance to be heroes on the pitch. They might be the lowest-ranked nation at the tournament, but they were impressive in drawing their opening game against Congo, and a win today against Burkina Faso would leave them well-placed to qualify for the knockout stages. Can the National Thunder keep on rolling?