Cameroon survive scare, Gabon foil again

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP):

Cameroon survived a scare and a wonder goal from tournament debutants Guinea-Bissau for the first win in Group A and hosts Gabon were frustrated again at the African Cup of Nations yesterday.

Cameroon came from behind to win 2-1, but for 48 minutes Guinea-Bissau were ahead and heading for a special victory after midfielder Piqueti made a run of blistering speed and skill to take the ball nearly the length of the field before lashing it into the roof of the net.

Cameroon spoiled what was shaping up to be one of the great upsets of the Cup of Nations in the second half when Sebastien Siani hit a first-time shot into the bottom left corner and defender Michael Ngadeu hammered low into the other corner for the winner.

Another blow

Gabon's hopes of progressing took another blow earlier in Group A's other match after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's second goal in two games only scraped a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso.

Aubameyang won and converted a penalty in the 38th minute after Burkina Faso led with substitute Prejuce Nakoulma's breakaway goal in the 23rd.

But Gabon couldn't go on to win despite having the better chances in the second half and the home team's chances of making the quarterfinals, and in many ways the chances of a successful tournament, now hang on their last group game against a buoyant Cameroon.

After drilling his spot-kick into the bottom left corner, Aubameyang, the star striker from German club Borussia Dortmund, ran and collected the ball, then pumped his arms up and down to get the home crowd and his teammates going in Libreville.

It didn't have the desired effect and at times the fans turned on their team, showing their frustration with whistles and groans.