AFCON 2017: Saturday Scores, Results, Standings and Updated Schedule
Hosts Gabon failed to win their first match of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, as Juary Soares of Guinea-Bissau scored a late equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw for his team.
The inestimable Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had opened the scoring for his team, but Gabon disappointed as a group and couldn't find a second goal to secure the result.
Fortunately for the hosts, Cameroon and Burkina Faso also played out a 1-1 draw in the other Group A fixture. Here's a look at the results:
| Gabon | 1-1 | Guinea-Bissau |
| Burkina Faso | 1-1 | Cameroon |
The current Group A standings:
| 1. | Gabon | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1:1 | 1 |
| 2. | Guinea-Bissau | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1:1 | 1 |
| 3. | Cameroon | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1:1 | 1 |
| 4. | Burkina Faso | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1:1 | 1 |
Here's a look at Sunday's schedule:
| 4 p.m. GMT | Algeria | vs. | Zimbabwe |
| 7 p.m. GMT | Tunisia | vs. | Senegal |
Recap
Gabon were expected to win their opener and end their ongoing winless streak against surprise qualifiers Guinea-Bissau, but the visitors surprised fans and pundits alike by putting together a solid performance.
Their counters in particular were devastating and greatly troubled Gabon, who were backed by a home support that was perhaps less vocal than anticipated. Many big-name players have decided against playing in this year's AFCON, and the lack of anticipation was noticeable on the streets ahead of the encounter.
On the pitch, the action was entertaining, with Soares proving a handful for the Gabon defence. Juventus star Mario Lemina couldn't get a grip on the midfield proceedings, and Aubameyang was largely kept quiet in the first half.
Colin Udoh of KweseSports was impressed with the visitors:
Gabon's level of play improved after the break, however. Lemina became more involved, and the hosts' dominance in midfield meant they had to be less afraid of the counter and were open to push up the pitch a little more.
To no one's surprise, it was Aubameyang who opened the scoring, although Ed Dove of Reuters noticed the stadium announcer did his part distracting the visiting team:
Gabon seemed to be in full control, with Guinea-Bissau resorting to a couple of cynical fouls in order to break up the momentum. With time winding down, the best chances fell to the hosts, and their first win seemed secure.
But a late free-kick fell to Soares, who was given far too much space inside the box to fire his team on level terms.
Per Bleacher Report's Lars Pollman, this was hardly the result the hosts were looking for:
Dove noted Gabon have been in dreadful form of late, and the schedule will only get harder:
Cameroon are always among the favourites to win AFCON, and Burkina Faso's talent level has improved drastically the last few years.
The two sides shared the spoils in the other Group A match, meaning all four teams are on level terms after the first matchday.
Moukandjo started the scoring for the Indomitable Lions in the first half, curling home a great free-kick. Udoh loved it:
Cameroon seized more control of the ball as the second half wore on, but Burkina Faso tied things up through Issoufou Dayo, who bagged his first goal for the national team since 2015.
Burkina Faso and Cameroon remain the favourites to qualify from Group A based on form and overall talent, although homefield advantage and the presence of a few top stars play in favour of Gabon.
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