Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang guides Gabon to win over Burkina Faso

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:23 am

Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malick Evouna gave Gabon a 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their opening game in the African Nations Cup in Bata on Saturday night.

Aubameyang -- who had also scored both goals in a 2-0 win over the same opponents in the qualifying campaign -- took just 19 minutes to get on the scoresheet again with a right-foot shot from the centre of the box.

And when Evouna headed home a Frederic Bulot cross in the 72nd minute, Gabon ensured they would get their Group A campaign against the surprise 2013 finalists off to a flyer.

Burkina striker Bertrand Traore caused problems in the early stages and forced a fine save out of Gabon keeper Didier Ovono as they looked to make their pre-match status as favourites tell.

Alain Traore also came close before Gabon grabbed the lead against the run of play after a burst of pressure which saw Aubameyang's initial effort well saved by Burkina keeper Germain Sanou.

Jonathan Pitroipa came close to an equaliser on the half-hour but Gabon also had their chances to extend their lead with Didier Ndong narrowly missing with a left-foot shot from Levy Madinda's pinpoint cross.

Aubameyang scored for Gabon at the Olympics in London 2012, and it was the high point of a 13-year international career.
Aubameyang scored for Gabon at the Olympics in London 2012, and it was the high point of a 13-year international career.
CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images

Aubameyang came close to grabbing his second in the 35th minute when his effort from outside the box was well saved by Sanou, while Alain Traore and Pitroipa both spurned further chances to equalise for Burkina.

Despite trailing, Burkina ended the first period well on top with Bertrand Traore and Alain Traore again coming close, and the one-sided action continued early in the second half as Alain Traore again narrowly missed with a left-foot strike.

As the former finalists' frustration mounted, Gabon gradually came back into the game with Evouna and Aubameyang both coming close before Evouna doubled Gabon's lead with a fine header into the top left-hand corner.

Burkina continued to press, with Alain Traore bringing a save out of Ovono and Aristide Bance coming close with an effort from outside the box which flashed just wide of the upright.

But it was Gabon who came closest to grabbing a third in injury time when Bulot let fly with a speculative left-foot shot from long-range which was well saved high in his top corner by Burkina keeper Sanou.