Africa Cup of Nations: Winners and Losers from Day 1
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off on Saturday with two engrossing fixtures.
The action began with a contest between hosts Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo, before concluding with a battle between two of the tournament’s potential dark horses, Burkina Faso and the Republic of Congo.
The first match ended in a draw, with Emilio Nsue’s early goal being cancelled out by Thievy Bifouma’s effort, while in the second contest, goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malick Evouna ensured that Gabon end Matchday 1 at the top of Group A.
In this feature, Bleacher Report present the winners and losers from day one of Afcon action.
Losers: The Republic of Congo
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Having snatched a late equaliser, you might think that the Congolese would be happy with their showing in the Cup of Nations opener.
However, with Gabon and Burkina Faso lying in wait, the Red Devils really needed to pick up the maximum three points here against the hosts.
The Central Africans' stock has fallen after this opening fixture, particularly following their dismal, disjointed showing in the first half.
They did pull it back, however, and if they can keep confidence levels high, then their quarter-final hopes need not be completely extinguished. Congo did demonstrate, during qualification, how they can frustrate bigger teams such as Nigeria and South Africa.
They will need to rediscover this resiliency quickly if they are to escape from Group A.
Winners: Equatorial Guinea
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Conversely, Equatorial Guinea might feel aggrieved to have thrown away a late lead.
However, I suspect that the Nzalang National’s glass is half-full, rather than half-empty. Considering the upheaval, the lack of recent competitive football, the managerial switch and the plethora of new faces, the hosts exceeded all expectations.
Their young Spanish-based players looked lively and filled with attacking confidence. Meanwhile, they could have claimed a victory had Javier Balboa not hit a second-half effort right at Christoffer Mafoumbi and had an Emilio Nsue goal not been wrongly deemed offside.
Indeed, Equatorial Guinea could have lost it late on when Dominique Malonga fluffed his lines, and they ought to be content with their point—particularly considering the dubious nature of their opening goal!
Losers: Burkina Faso
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Burkina Faso head into the Cup of Nations as one of the continent’s most stable sides. There are only two truly new faces in the first team who weren’t present during their Afcon showing in 2013, while Paul Put has been at the helm since 2012.
This showing against Gabon hardly did justice to the immense progression the Stallions have made under the Belgian coach over the last few years.
The centre-back pairing of Bakary Kone and Steeve Yago—typically so impermeable—were constantly troubled by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malick Evouna, while their forward play became repetitive and predictable.
The West Africans can still escape from Group A, but they will need to improve considerably if they are to return to the final.
Winners: Gabon
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Gabon, by contrast, look well-placed to top Group A and will surely be envisaging a long run in the tournament.
They are not the complete package by any means. Didier Ovono was occasionally reckless in goal, and Aubameyang perhaps wasn’t as influential as he might have been.
Also, central midfielder Didier Ibrahim Ndong occasionally appeared to struggle with the physical pressure applied by Djakaridja Kone and Charles Kabore.
Nonetheless, the Panthers possess a strong and dynamic spine, and this one would have been won much more comfortably had Evouna not strayed offside so often.
I was particularly impressed with Charlton Athletic man Frederic Bulot, and I look forward to seeing Gabon progress after this morale-boosting triumph.
Losers: Claude Le Roy and Paul Put
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Beyond their disappointing results on Matchday 1, Francophone bosses Claude Le Roy and Paul Put are beginning to look like two pensioners who have bought a package holiday to the Canary Islands, only to find that the Fuerteventura nightlife isn’t quite to their taste.
Both men complained about their accommodation upon arrival in Equatorial Guinea and have expressed further anguish after their first Group A matches.
Le Roy, as quoted by SuperSport, had the following to say: "It was close to 40 degrees, and we had no air conditioning in the bus. We were supposed to have an escort but they left us in the crowd, in a big traffic jam. The police were just smiling (at our predicament).
"Games in competitions like this are won on the small details, and CAF (the Confederation of African Football) have a duty to protect teams. It is not possible that players are disrespected like that. That is why we started so badly."
Such comments have prompted Ghanaian journalist Gary Al-Smith to christen him Le Whine.
Similarly, Paul Put, as reported by British journalist Nick Ames on Twitter, described his team’s hotel as "a campsite."
