Aubameyang rescues point for Gabon

Hosts, Gabon, had to rely on Skipper Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s 38th minute penalty to rescue a point against Burkina Faso in Libreville yesterday. It was the hosts’ second successive 1-1 draw in the competition, which means they must beat Cameroun in their last game to qualify for the second round of the competition.Préjuce Niguimbé gave Burkina Faso the lead after 23 minutes when he slotted home from close range.

Gabon were held 1-1 by Guinea Bissau in the opening game of the tournament and they once again relied on their talisman, Aubameyang to level the scores yesterday. He converted a penalty he won after being fouled by the opposition goalkeeper.

The result leaves the two sides level on two points with one game to go in the group stage.With Burkina Faso going up against group minnows Guinea Bissau in the last game, a defeat to Cameroun could see Gabon make a shock early exit. Not even a draw would guarantee their progression.

Gabon played without Juventus star, Mario Lemina, but the side did not show any sign of inferiority against the 2013 finalists, who came into the game clearly determined to carry the day.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s Baba Rahman is out of the Africa Cup of Nations due to the knee injury he sustained during the Black Stars’ opening 1-0 win over Uganda.Rahman twisted his knee and left the field on a stretcher after Andre Ayew scored a decisive first-half penalty during the Group D clash.

The 22-year-old left-back is on loan at Schalke from Chelsea this season and the Bundesliga club confirmed he had suffered a bruised meniscus.Rahman has returned to Gelsenkirchen for further treatment.