Group A blown wide open

Cape Town - Group A of the 2015 African Cup of Nations was blown wide open when Congo beat Gabon 1-0 at the Bata Stadium on Wednesday night.

A goal from Prince Oniangue three minutes after half time saw Congo to victory and to the top of Group A with four points.

Gabon have slipped to second place with three points while the goalless draw between Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso early in the day means the former are third with two points and the latter last with one point.

In essence any one of the four teams can still qualify for the knockout stages when they meet on their group’s last matchday on January 25.

Looking at the game between Gabon and Congo, the Gabonese side only have themselves to blame as they dominated the possession stakes and had the more shots on goal.

Football, however, is a cruel game and Gabon were made to pay for their numerous missed opportunities in front of goal.

Gabon stated their prowess as early as the fourth minute when a 25-yard shot from Frederic Wagha Bulot was tipped over the bar by the keeper.

On the 20 minute mark Gabon created a great opening with their slick passing when Malick Evouna broke behind the defence, but he failed to beat the keeper in a one-on-one.

Five minutes before the break Levy Clement Madinda produced some wonderful skill as he dribbled his way past three Congo defenders only for his 14-yard shot to skim the wrong side of the upright.

The second half saw Gabon stunned early on after some poor defending at a corner-kick allowed Prince Oniangue to poke the ball home from a goalmouth scramble, 1-0.

That was about the only significant attack Congo mustered in the entire match, but they made it count, unlike Gabon who continued to waste chance after chance in front of goal.

In the 58^th minute Levy Clement Madinda came close to equalising with a powerful 30-yard shot, but it sailed over the crossbar.

Ten minutes later Frederic Wagha Bulot missed a sitter from 16-yards out as he skewed his shot wide with an empty net at his mercy.

It was not to be for Gabon who only have themselves to blame as the game ended 1-0 in favour of Congo. 

Teams:

Gabon: Didier Ovono Ebang, Andre Biyogo Poko, Aaron Appindangoye, Bruno Ecuele Manga, Lloyd Palun, Johann Serge Obiang, Levy Clement Madinda (Samson Mbingui 84’), Frederic Wagha Bulot (Johan Lengoualama 89’), Malick Evouna, Ibrahim Didier Ndong (Guelor Kanga Kaku 56’), Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.

Congo: Christoffer Mafoumbi, Boris Moubhibo Ngonga, Dimitri Magnoleke Bissiki, Arnold Bouka Moutou (Francis Nganga 87’), Marvin Baudry, Sagesse Babele, Cesaire Gandze (Fabrice Nguessi Ondama 74’), Delvin Ndinga, Prince Oniangue, Thievy Bifouma, Fode Dore (Chris Malonga 75’).