AFCON 2017: Host Gabon Exits Tournament

African Cup of Nations host Gabon made a disappointing exit from the tournament on Sunday after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a golden chance in the final minute over Cameroon.

The Central African nation’s team failed to make it to the knockout stage of the tournament after they drew Cameroon in a goalless affair in their final group match at the Stade de l’Amitié, Libreville.

It should have been 1-0 to Cameroon five minutes after the restart, but Gabon goalkeeper Didier Ovono tipped defender Ambroise Onyongo’s effort onto the outside of the post.

Bouanga, who was having a good game for Gabon, opted to shoot from a free-kick two minutes after the hour-mark, but Ondoa was alert as the shot-stopper finger-tipped the ball over the crossbar.

“It is very sad for all of us but each player gave 100 percent,” said Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

In another game of Group A, Burkina Faso advanced to the quarterfinals following a 2-0 win over Guinea Bissau, eliminated from the tournament.

Cameroon will take on Senegal, which qualified as the winners of Group B with one game to spare, in Franceville on January 28, in the quarter-finals.

The opponents of Burkina Faso, the surprise group winners, will be decided this Monday (Jan 23) as Tunisia, Algeria and Zimbabwe vie for the second spot in Group B.

About Geraldine Boechat 2886 Articles
Senior Editor for Medafrica Times and former journalist for Swiss National Television. former NGO team leader in Burundi and Somalia