Africa Cup of Nations

[monks data]

Africa Cup of Nations | Group Stage

Jan 17, 2015 at 4pm UK

Eq Guinea Equatorial Guinea
1-1
Congo

Nsue (16')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Bifouma (87')

Thievy Bifouma rescues draw for Congo against Equatorial Guinea

By Benjamin Topliss, Reporter

Published: January 17 2015 | 17:56

Last updated: January 20 2015 | 15:08

Thievy Bifouma's late strike helps Congo secure a draw against hosts Equatorial Guinea in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations 2015.

Thievy Bifouma's late strike has helped Congo secure a dramatic 1-1 draw against hosts Equatorial Guinea in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 this evening.

The result means Congo are now without a win in 13 Nations Cup matches; a run that stretches back to 1974.

Equatorial Guinea's midfielder Emilio Nsue celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2015 African Cup of Nations group A football match between Equatorial Guinea and Congo at Bata Stadium in Bata on January 17, 2015 © Getty Images

Congo's Prince Oniangue had an early effort which swerved just over the bar before Bifouma fired narrowly past the post.

Despite the chances, it was Equatorial Guinea who went in front when Nsue burst into space and drilled the ball under the onrushing goalkeeper and into the net.

Marvin Baudry was the next to come close for Congo as he hit the ball narrowly off target with a header. A yard or two either side, and the ball would have rolled into an empty net.

After the break, Evan Bolado came off the bench for Equatorial Guinea and almost made an immediate impact as he threaded the ball through to Javier Balboa, but his strike was saved.

Nsue then thought he had got his second goal of the afternoon after dinking the ball over Christopher Mafoumbi, but the referee chalked the goal off for offside.

Baudry hit the post late on for Congo and it looked like Equatorial Guinea might close out the win, but Bifouma scored late on to rescue a draw for his side.