AFCON 2017: Guinea-Bissau shock host Gabon with a draw

Debutants and shock qualifiers, Guinea-Bissau stunned hosts Gabon by pulling off a 1-1 draw in the opening match of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

In the 90th minute, Juary Soares scored the equaliser with a diving header from a free-kick from the right.

Gabon had taken the lead on 50 minutes when superstar, Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned in Denis Bouanga’s cross-shot.

Home fans jeered loudly at the end, making their discontent evident.

But the draw was no more than a spirited Guinea-Bissau side deserved as they frustrated their opponents throughout and took their chance to continue what has been a fairytale run.

BBC reports that few predicted Guinea-Bissau would take anything from their group games at the tournament but they arguably looked more dangerous in a game that only livened up after half-time.

While Aubaemyang showed his predatory instincts to finish off Bouanga’s ball across the face of the box, the Dortmund striker was less clinical when he volleyed over on 69 minutes.

It would have doubled Gabon’s lead and might have ended Guinea-Bissau’s resistance. Instead, the ‘Wild Dogs’ fought back and began to impose themselves on the game.

A clear chance came on 83 minutes but substitute Frederic Mendy headed straight at goalkeeper Didier Ovono and it seemed they would suffer a brave defeat.

But when they won another free-kick, Soares connected brilliantly to send his side into raptures of delight.