THERE was drama all round!
Gabon and Burkina Faso players nearly exchanged blows at the break of this Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group A second match at the Stade de L’Amitie here last night.
Two of The Stallions and Panthers players were stretchered off the field to the medical room for some serious medical attention; there were late-coming fans forcing their way into the stadium, and who can forget Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty?
Anyway, that is what the Afcon is all about after both teams drew 1-1 after a dramatic, yet entertaining 90 minutes.
The hordes of fans that were still trickling into the Stade de L’Amitie 25 minutes into the game, were forced to push their way past security into the stadium to see what was the loud noise and cheers all about.
And the majority of the Gabonese latecomers wanted to witness if their countrymen already inside the stadium were the ones celebrating, but to their surprise it was Burkina Faso fans who were in a joyous mood, celebrating Niguimbe Nakoulma’s 25th minute goal.
Nakoulma came from the bench to silence the vocal Gabon crowd after Yacouba Coulibaly had to be rushed to hospital with concussion and the Kayserispo FC midfielder wasted no time in putting his team in the lead with a soft tap in. The joy was short-lived, 10 minutes later Gabon equalised via Aubameyang who converted from a penalty kick after being fouled inside the box by Burkinabe goalie Kouakou Koffi.
Now the future looks bleak for both teams as they are now sitting on two points after two matches, making their final Group A matches on Sunday must wins.
Gabon will on Sunday welcome Cameroon to the same stadium while The Stallions have Guinea-Bissau to deal with.
Mathews Mpete is in Gabon, courtesy of SuperSport.
