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Sorry - this page has been removed. Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang redeems himself against Burkina Faso
(3 months later)
This could be because it launched early, our rights have expired, there was a legal issue, or for another reason. Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put aside the trauma of his last Africa Cup of Nations finals appearance with the first goal in a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso in their Group A opener in Bata.
The French-born striker, who missed the decisive penalty in a quarter-final shootout against Mali three years ago when Gabon co-hosted the tournament, opened the scoring in the 19th minute. It was a classic poacher’s goal as he found his way blocked but steadied himself at the second attempt before blasting home at the Estadio de Bata.
For further information, please contact: A close-range header from Malick Evouna in the 72nd minute wrapped up a victory that put Gabon top of the section after the first day of the tournament, following a 1-1 draw between the hosts, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo in the opening match.
He might have had a second with 20 minutes remaining as the Borussia Dortmund forward burst away on the left wing only to hit his shot narrowly wide with the ball swinging across the goal.
But soon afterwards Evouna wrapped up a hard-fought win when he rose among the Burkinabé defenders to head home Frédéric Bulot’s cross.
Burkina Faso, who were runners-up at the last finals, in South Africa two years ago, looked the classier of the two teams, getting behind the Gabon defence to set up several chances, but over-elaborated when a simpler approach could have paid dividends.
Jonathan Pitroipa, voted the best player at the last Cup of Nations, hit his 30th minute effort straight at the Gabon goalkeeper, Didier Ovono, who earlier made a fine save from Bertrand Traoré.
The Chelsea teenager Traoré, on loan at Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch league, made an exciting combination with his elder brother, Alain, in attack but they were let down by their final touch.
Gabon could have increased their lead at least twice. In the first half Didier Ndong was clear but fluffed his chance and midway through the second half Bulot managed to shoot straight at the goalkeeper, Moussa Fofana, from in front of goal.