- Aubameyang opens scoring for Gabon
- Malick Evouna heads in to double lead
- Burkina Faso were runners-up in 2013
- FT: Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo
- Nsue for hosts but Bifouma levels
LIVE TEXT
By Luke Reddy and Andy Cryer
Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
And now, as I summon my inner Des Lynam...while this may not be the most informative on day one of the tournament, let's have a look at the Group A table anyway:
If you're from Gabon or drew them in a sweepstake...well in.
Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
The price you pay when only six of your 21 shots find the target is defeat it seems.
Burkina Faso will perhaps get shooting practice in training. Still, it's probably more fun that working on set plays.
Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
Steve Crossman - BBC Sport in Bata
Steve Crossman - BBC Sport in Bata
"Gabon have underlined tonight why many believe they will improve on their best ever AFCON performance and go beyond the quarter finals. They also showed just how much more than Pierre Emerick Aubameyang they are. Malick Evouna scored more than the Dortmund striker in qualifying, his header from Frederick Bulot's cross was superb to make it 2-0.
"All three of their forwards had a significant impact then and Gabonese fans sprinted around the stadium waving flags and screaming when the second goal went in. They are well backed and well drilled by Jorge Costa but having said all that, if not for Didier Ovono in goal they would almost certainly not have won. All parts of his anatomy were employed to stop Jonathan Pitroipa (twice) and Bertrand Traore. Keep your eyes on Gabon, they could go far."
Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
The men who found the target: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malick Evouna.
Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
Lots of back slapping, high fives, hugs, you name it. Basically all round male affection on show as Gabon celebrate.
Manager Jorge Costa - once of Charlton Athletic - is right in there. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malick Evouna did the damage for him. The first a beautiful finish, the second a power header.
Make no question, Gabon can be hurt at the back but they had their shooting boots on tonight.
Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
And that is that then. We have clear group leaders and the first winners of AFCON 2015.
Gabon prove too much for the 2013 finalists Burkina Faso.
90+1 Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
Frederic Bulot has created one goal and wants one himself now. A well-struck effort from the right side of the area arrows towards the top left-hand corner put is plucked away for a corner by the Burkina Faso goalkeeper.
90 mins Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
Injury time. The second goal has killed Faso. They will taste defeat here but question why when they wasted good chances.
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James Earl Kiawoin: AFCON 2015 so far: Incredible wastefulness and incredible haircuts.
88 mins Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
Bertrand Traore can hold his head high in the Faso side. He dribbles, the ball stuck to his toe, weaves space and shoots from the right of the penalty area. It's right footed and is bending inside the far post is it...no. just wide. And I mean just.
87 mins Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
We go into the final three minutes. This one looks dead and buried.
Gabon coach Jorge Costa is sending on some substitutes to kill time and while his side have been rugged on times and very, very green at the back, they have taken their chances here.
Steeve Yago is anything but Steven Gerrard from range for Faso, his latest effort has cloud dust on it and the ball may well reach Europe.
83 mins Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso substitute Aristide Bancé has been on the field around 20 minutes and gets his first sight of goal. He's fed, inside-right channel, run at the defender of shoot early? He has a go and it whizzes past the near post. Good hit. Not good enough.
80 mins Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
this maybe matchday one, but what a start for Gabon. A win against either Equatorial Guinea or Congo in their next outings and six points will take them very close to the last eight.
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Stuart Proctor: That hat... only at AFCON (see 68 mins)
79 mins Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
After a lengthy delay in which Faso did make their substitution (Djakaridja Kone eventually came off) Alain Traore smashes his free-kick and there once again stands Didier Ovono in the Gabon goal.
He parries the ball into his goal mouth and it's there to be tucked away but he juggles it and catches it in his own time.
76 mins Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
It's all kicking off here. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has gone through on goal but is flagged offside. Then Faso look to substitute their best player - Bertrand Traore - but it turns but the number is wrong, they can't be that silly. Now we have a Faso free-kick just 20 yards out. This is big...
74 mins Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso
BBC Sport's Nick Cavell in Bata: I should imagine that Frederic Bulot is enjoying this evening rather more than his team-mates back in England at Charlton after their 5-0 loss at Watford.....
72 mins Gabon 2-0 Burkina Faso - Malick Evouna (72 mins)
Frederic Bulot with a step over and change of pace down the right, a clipped cross begs for a finish and gets it. Malick Evouna is there, four yards out to power a header into the top corner.
Game over?
10 caps, six goals for Evouna. He raced to the corner flag and loved every moment of that.
Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
We go into the final 20 minutes.
I think this is a hat on a fan in the stadium. I hope whoever brought that in gets the result they want. Such effort should be rewarded.
68 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is slid into the left-hand channel. He checks back and a shot is all that's on his mind. It's a curler and it's narrowly off target. He looks slick, if a little rough around the edges.
Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
67 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
BBC Sport's Nick Cavell in Bata: Gabon coach Jorge Costa seems to have picked up a love for officials from his mentor Jose Morinho - Costa has been at the fourth official and the referee for the whole match.
65 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Great chances at both ends. We should have had two goals.
First Gabon's Frédéric Bulot is picked out with a left-wing cross and pulls the ball down on the penalty spot...chance to put his side two up...straight at the goalkeeper. But he should be made to pay as the brilliant Bertrand Traore races down the left - he skins his man and races away Gareth-Bale style...he's through...saved.
The goalkeeper stood tall and as Traore closed in from the angle, his shot can't squeeze in the near post. A massive couple of moments in this game.
Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
63 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Alain Traore takes measure from 20 yards...whips it...Didier Ovono is scrambling in his goal...nope.
Just over the bar. A yard at most. The hour has ticked past. Gabon will be overjoyed if this holds.
62 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Now then, Jonathan Pitroipa is felled around 20 yards from goal. Alain Traore has just had an effort from a free-kick as a warm-up for this...
57 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Bertrand Traore is actually a Chelsea player - albeit on loan at Vitesse.
He has been lovely to watch here so far and at just 19, looks athletic, quick, tricky, you name it.
He skips around his marker with hardly any space to operate on the dead-ball line. His cross is powerful and turned behind by the goalkeeper. One to watch this lad.
Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Who should win this game and why is it so nicely poised?
Only two places separate the teams in Fifa's world rankings and they met in qualifying, so margins, you would think, will be small.
52 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
instead we get a corner at the other end after some powerful running from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. A whipped delivery can't be reached by Bruno Ecuele Manga and is headed clear.
Both of these sides do not really like (or perhaps do not have the ability) to keep possession for long. Attacks are quick and focused as opposed to slowly built.
49 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
The combination of Traores - Alain and Bertrand - and Jonathan Pitroipa looks vibrant and you would think they will again cause problems in this second half.
Gabon defend narrowly when they come under threat. It's organised to an extent, but you get the feeling a well-timed run and pass could catch them square as they like to hold a line.
Traore - of the Bertrand variety - forces a corner does he...no...goal kick.
46 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Here we go then. The first game we saw involved a second-half fight-back. Will we see the same again?
The ball in rolling, Estadio de Bata is still simmering nicely and Burkina Faso attack early in the second half...
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Rizzi: Both teams playing attacking football with really shaky defences, great for a neutral but Ghana will win the tournament.
What have you made of ACFON day one? Who will win the tournament and who will be the star player? Tweet us on #bbcafcon2015.
Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
The half-time stats showcase Burkina Faso's poor finishing...
Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Steve Crossman - BBC Sport in Bata
Steve Crossman - BBC Sport in Bata
"Dider Ovono has been the star of the show for Gabon despite Pierre Emerick Aubameyang's goal. The keeper has twice saved brilliantly from Jonathan Pitroipa, top scorer in qualifying and player of the tournament two years ago. Ovono also did well to palm away a powerful Bertrand Traore drive. Gabon look very good on the ball, Andre Poko has moved swiftly and effectively between defence and midfield. Burkina Faso have had more chances, they've lacked the coolness Aubameyang displayed at the other end."
Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
BBC Sport's Nick Cavell in Bata: The contrasting styles of the coaches - Paul Put in tracksuit topped with a pink Caf bib while Jorge Costa has gone smart casual with tie shirt and black shoes. Not quite the full suits we saw in the first game from Claude LeRoy and Esteban Becker.
45 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Harsh? Maybe. But Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang showed he does not play for one of Europe's top clubs for nothing.
The Borussia Dortmund striker punished a lapse at the back for Faso with a clever finish (and an even cooler celebration - see below).
Faso - beaten finalists in the last AFCON - have had shots and chances aplenty but they need to discover their own clinical streak.
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Chewe Puta: This is a fantastic game, both #Burkina and #Gabon are playing with heart.
Andrew Priestley: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a real form player, when he's up for it he hits hot streaks. This could be his tournament.
43 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Going forward there is no doubt Burkina Faso have a few tricks up their sleeve. Bertrand Traore this time collects a pass in the right channel and cuts in on his left foot to shoot at the near post.
Didier Ovono is equal to and collects his parry at the second attempt. The Traore contingent all want a crack..this time Alain Traore volleys over.
Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
39 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Faso have eight shots to Gabon's four so far. They've made the better chances and dubious defending in this game means we should see more goals.
37 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Didier Ovono in Gabon's goal will form part of Jonathan Pitroipa's nightmares tonight if things stay like this. He has already saved from the striker once but this time his stop is superb.
Pitroipa pounces on a cross-shot and guides an effort at goal from five yards...must be...no...parried away. The keeper claps his giant gloves to wake his defenders up.
I love it when a keeper hands out some verbals after making a save. Capitalise on your glory and all that.
Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
32 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
End-to-end at the moment as Ibrahim N'Dong collects a cross which evaded all his Gabon team-mates in the area to lash left-footed from around 18 yards.
It's from an angle but whistles inches wide. Good hit. That would have punished Pitroipa's poor miss moments ago.
30 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Some neat interchange between Alain Traore and Jonathan Pitroipa but the former finds himself squeezed out by two Gabon central defenders and now it's Pitroipa, one on one...a great opening...lame.
He has time and space as the ball rolls across his body but his shot is tame and easily held. What an opening.
28 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Gabon's back four looked flat and penetrable early on but the goal seems to have settled any nerves and they look robust as a few questions are asked with throw ins and balls from wide areas. They get an offside trap bang on to catch Jonathan Potroipa and so far Faso have not responded with any menace.
Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso and Gabon know all about one another, they faced each other in the qualifying group to get to the tournament. Gabon beat Faso in what was their only loss of qualifying while the return meeting ended in a 1-1 draw.
21 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso
So what have you got Burkina Faso? You showed your hand early on and looked decent, none more so that Jonathan Pitroipa. This wasn't what you wanted so it's time to dig in.
19 mins Gabon 1-0 Burkina Faso - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (19 mins)
Delightful from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. His finish is calm, accomplished and deadly.
He races onto a pass from Andre Poko and tries to poke the ball home but is denied by a save. As the rebound runs into his path he checks to flummox defenders and goalkeeper on the goalline, before bending his 14th international goal into the top corner.
They make look shoddy at the back but they're anything but up front.
Gabon 0-0 Burkina Faso
14 mins Gabon 0-0 Burkina Faso
He is at it against, Bertrand Traore runs on to a pull-back from Jonathan Pitroipa and from 10 yards he will shoot will he...no...a brave diving block by Bruno Ecuele Manga.
Good defending individually but Gabon suddenly look a bit off the pace here across their back four.
12 mins Gabon 0-0 Burkina Faso
Bertrand Traore has already had a sighter but this time he follows Jonathan Pitroipa who tries to crash himself through challenges. As the ball spills free, Traore - of Dutch side Vitesse - lashes one from range and forces a superb save.
10 mins Gabon 0-0 Burkina Faso
Some good defending by Faso centre-back Mohamed Koffi as he spots a run from midfield by André Poko and gets across to smash the ball out for a corner. No nonsense, job done. A good bit of covering.
9 mins Gabon 0-0 Burkina Faso
It's 28 degrees in Bata this evening so expect some serious sweat here.
These sides look well drilled and ready for a game which many think comprises the two teams which will top the Group and reach the last eight.
Both have attacked in wide areas but hard, grizzly defending prevents crosses. Bertrand Traore - one of about 600 Traores in the Burkina Faso side - fires well wide from range.
Gabon 0-0 Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso have had issues with their luggage arriving in Equatorial Guinea and a few setbacks with their hotel booking. Is it just me or has every team had issues with hotels?
There must be a gap in the market for a reliable travel agent in the country.
Gabon 0-0 Burkina Faso
3 mins Gabon 0-0 Burkina Faso
Jonathan Pitroipa will lead the line for Burkina Faso and he shows a nice jink and twist when he receives the ball in a deep area. Tight stuff so far with both sides looking organised without the ball.
1 min Gabon 0-0 Burkina Faso
Ball rolling. That opening match had little shape, will this one have more structure?
19:00 Gabon v Burkina Faso (19:00 GMT)
From BBC Sport's Nick Cavell in Bata: "Seems some fans have left after that first match but some very vocal Gabon and Burkina Faso fans have made it into the stadium - many of them pushing their way through the mixed zone where journalists are meant to interview players. A few police tried pushing them back but with little success forcing the journalists to flee."
18:57 Gabon v Burkina Faso (19:00 GMT)
The teams are back out on the pitch here at the Estadio de Bata. How there are enough changing rooms to house four teams here is beyond me.
Burkina Faso sing their national anthem with pride and not it's the turn of Gabon. The country's flag is passed around supporters while their 11 players - in bright yellow shirts - stand with their hands on their hearts.
18:55 Gabon v Burkina Faso (19:00 GMT)
18:50 Gabon v Burkina Faso (19:00 GMT)
Burkina Faso: Sanou, Yago, Kone, Koffi, Kone, Pitroipa, Bambara, Kabore, Traore, Zongo, Traore.
Gabon: Ovono, Palun, Musavu-King, Ecuele Manga, Obiang, Biyogo Poko, Madinda, Ndong, Bulot, Aubameyang, Evouna.
Don't think Aubameyang is the only man with goalscoring pedigree here though. As I will explain next...
18:45 Gabon v Burkina Faso (19:00 GMT)
And he is in the starting line-up, which we will have for you next...
18:38 Gabon v Burkina Faso (19:00 GMT)
As we told you earlier, only four teams at this tournament made it to the 2014 Brazil World Cup.
Spare a thought for the side we will see next though Burkina Faso, who struck the post in the last minute of their play-off with Algeria knowing a goal would have sent them to south America.
Steve Crossman - BBC Sport in Bata
"Great thrill to commentate live on #AFCON2015. Best way to celebrate is...watch another game."
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John Bennett of BBC World Service tweets: "Now for the main course of #AFCON2015 opening day; Gabon v Burkina Faso. Aubameyang v Pitroipa. The 2 sides likely to progress to the QFs. Nine of the Burkina Faso players who started the 2013 AFCON final are in the #BurkinaFaso squad in Equatorial Guinea."
18:25 Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo
- Congo are without a win in 13 Afcon matches (D6 L7); a run that stretches back to 1974.
- Only one team in the history of the competition has gone longer without registering a victory (Burkina Faso 18 (1998-2013)).
- Congo have won five and drawn one of their seven previous internationals against Equatorial Guinea (L1).
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Hurzul Solomons: South-Africa will surely win the Afcon Cup Of Nations:) #GoBafanaBafana!!!!
Standley Molua: The new breed, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon,headed by Stephan MBIA, as team Captain, with Clinton NJIE & others will definitely bring home the trophy, CAN 2015.
18:18 Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo
Some stats for you....
- Equatorial Guinea's Emilio Nsue scored his first goal for club or country this season. The former Mallorca striker has played 1027 minutes without netting for club side Middlesbrough this term but needed just 16 minutes to open his AFCON 2015 account.
- The host nation (including joint-host) has not lost their opening AFCON game since 1998, when Burkina Faso were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon (W6 D5 since then).
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So there we have it then, a draw in the opener.
What did you make of it? Tweet us on #bbcafcon2015.
18:12 Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo
This may be a bit like Match of the Day on the opening night of a season, but if nothing else, it signifies we have a match played at AFCON 2105 - something which looked unlikely when the tournament was thrown into jeopardy late in 2014.
Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo
Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo
Replays of Dominique Malonga's late chance to win it for Congo underline just how good an opening it was.
It's the kind of chance you dream of. A ball fizzed back from the dead-ball line, six yards out, you're running onto it, the chance to make a name for yourself...he gets little connection and it's gone.
Either side of the goalkeeper and it may have trickled home but the Equatorial stopper can fall on it and breathe a huge sigh of relief. As can his country.
Equatorial 1-1 Congo
Nick Cavell on BBC World Service: "On reflection, a fair result of an exciting opening match at the tournament - no signs of two cagey sides testing each other out and approaching the game wanting not to lose.
"Equatorial Guinea pushed and pressed the Congo players at every opportunity and the hosts also went looking for a second goal as well. But Congo never gave up and eventually equalised from one of those moments when they controlled the ball and passed well."
Equatorial 1-1 Congo
That sparked into life didn't it?
Emilio Nsue's first-half opener looked to be enough for a long period but Equatorial tired badly late on. They were leggy and under pressure which eventually told.
A Thievy Bifouma goal means Congo earn a point. Both sides can now preach that old classic line at tournament football: "You don't want to lose your first game."
90+3 Equatorial 1-1 Congo
Dominique Malonga swings in a delivery from wide and out rushes Equatorial keeper Felipe Ovono to palm it away from forwards. Good goalkeeping but the loose ball fortunately falls to a defender.
90+1 Equatorial 1-1 Congo
Just two minutes of the three added to go. A draw here will probably be about right but Congo have dominated this second period.
90 mins Equatorial 1-1 Congo
In a reverse of the goal, Thievy Bifouma finds space on the dead-ball line and cuts a delivery back for Dominique Malonga...he must score...six yards..centre of the goal...duffs his effort straight at the goalkeeper.
Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Nick Cavell on BBC World Service: "The atmosphere has changed it's much quieter here in Bata and the crowd are jeering when Congo make a mistake."
Don't know if I'd fancy being one of those punters standing on the stairs...
89 mins Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo
Can Congo go on and win this? They are all over the hosts.
87 mins Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo - Thievy Bifouma
This has been coming.
Former West Brom striker Thievy Bifouma races away in celebration after a goal which is almost a photocopy of Equatorial Guinea's opener.
Dominique Malonga feeds him in the right channel and Bifouma is behind the defence, his finish is tidy, underneath the body of goalkeeper Felipe Ovono and just inside the near post.
85 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Brilliant stuff from Congo coach Claude Le Roy. He is absolutely lamenting our man Marvin - that's defender Marvin Baudry.
This time the defender tries to pump a ball into the box but he rushes it, gets it wrong and it's probably landed in a neighbouring country.
Le Roy screams his name about six times and in the end screams for him to lift his head up.
83 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
From the resulting free-kick, Francis N'Ganga whips a free-kick... it needs a touch and it's in...no one gets one and it hits the post.
Actually, looking at the replays, it seems the ball glanced against the shoulder of Ladislas Douniama before cannoning off the upright with the goalkeeper beaten.
The hosts are on the ropes here...
81 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Good luck with his one referee.
Equatorial goalkeeper Felipe Ovono comes racing out of his goal into a wide area. He seemingly fouls Congo striker Thievy Bifouma once...not given...then he has another go. This time it's a free-kick and a yellow card.
More Congo pressure.
79 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Congo introduce Dominique Malonga from the bench. He has a Scottish accent don't you know?
He probably doesn't but he plays for Hibernian and has scored 11 goals in 16 outings in all competitions for the Edinburgh side this season since signing from Italian club Cesena. A threat, then.
Equatorial 1-0 Congo
I can confirm that there are Vuvuzelas in the stadium. Many of us will seemingly go insane with the noise over the next three weeks or so.
Equatorial 1-0 Congo
74 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
This time Emilio Nsue is hard done by.
He was offside when he opened his scoring, this time he races onto a long ball and lobs the ball over the goalkeeper to give Equatorial a 2-0 lead... flag up. Offside.
Celebrations cut short. That would have been the game.
Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Nick Cavell on BBC World Service: "Can Equatorial Guinea keep up the pace? They continue to press and close down Claude Le Roy's Congo, who just can't seem to keep the ball for any length of time."
71 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
The plethora of space on offer in the match is beginning to tell and Emilio Nsue could put the game beyond doubt but a drilled volley from a narrow angle is saved by the legs of Congo goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi.
68 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
What an introduction that would have been. Ladislas Douniama collects a backheel from Thievy Bifouma 18 yards from goal.
Go on son...hit it...he pauses, takes a touch and digs a shot out which is flicked around the post by Felipe Ovono. Corner. Congo look like they sense something.
66 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Ferebory Dore is coming off for Congo, he was one of the strikers isolated throughout. On comes Ladislas Douniama of French side Guingamp.
A better spell for Congo yields two corners but both are dealt with. They need to find more or this is going to ease towards a win for the hosts.
64 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Real Madrid Castilla player Belima, incidentally, replaced the lively Kike. The substitute looks like he might have something about him, too.
61 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Javier Balboa should really have doubled Equatorial Guinea's lead there. Played through by substitute Ruben Belima, he tried to slip it past Christoffer Mafoumbi at the near post but the goalkeeper was down sharply to thwart him.
Congo breathe again...
55 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Kike is guilty of showboating for Equatorial and he loses possession. With over 35 minutes to go, that type of stuff is not needed. Congo launch an attack but like many of their others, the front line is isolated.
It is as if Congo's midfielders and defenders don't think they can cross the halfway line.
53 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
This line will be trotted out plenty if the result stays the same, but how are Equatorial so well organised given their late entry into the tournament?
A passage of play sees Congo trying to pass the ball from defence into midfield but each time they do, an Equatorial player presses the ball pronto. It's effective and the hosts are squashing any threats early on.
52 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
47 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
The tricky Iban Edu is small and probably weighs about nine stone when soaking wet through. He has however floored a big Congo defender in Cesaire Gandze.
Edu is perhaps lucky. He has the ball but a stay elbow catches the man giving chase to him. Perhaps naughty but hard to tell if he was using his arm to just protect the ball.
46 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
The ball is live in the second half and Equatorial Guinea make a change.
Pablo Ganet is replaced by Viera Ellong in midfield.
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The first 45 minutes of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations just flew by. What did you think of it?
Equatorial 1-0 Congo
This would be a shock in terms of where these teams are located in Fifa's world rankings.
Equatorial Guinea sit 118th. To put that into context, that's six places better off than the football power that is Lesotho, and just six worse of than Sudan. That is the lowest ranking of any team in the tournament.
Congo are 61st. A giant killing if you will?
Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Equatorial Guinea opened with a 1-0 win over Libya on the only previous occasion that they hosted the finals, in 2012.
They went on to qualify through the group before being beaten comprehensively by Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals in what remains their only previous Cup of Nations appearance.
Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Equatorial Guinea had just two shots on goal in that opening half compared to their opponents' seven.
Stats can hide a lot I guess as they merit their lead. They look relatively well organised for a team so void of preparation time.
Equatorial 1-0 Congo
45 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Nick Cavell on BBC World Service: "The hosts certainly started the best and created chances right from the start and took a well-deserved lead after some neat play from Kike and a nice finish by captain Emilio Nsue.
"That encouraged the crowd even further and that has really encouraged the team to play the attacking football that we were promised by coach Esteban Becker.
"Congo have had a few moments when they have controlled the ball and created their own chances but I am sure that Claude Le Roy will be demanding they do a lot more of it in the second-half."
44 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
We have a minute of injury-time to come at the end of the first half but that may be added to as Cesaire Gandze is down hurt for Congo.
The hosts will be happy with this opening period.
42 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Equatorial Guinea have had 47% of possession so far but lead and look more threatening generally.
With the lead, they seem to be happy to contain in these final first-half minutes. At the back they look solid enough but Congo's front two look very isolated. Not much in the way of runners from midfield.
Prince Oniangue has a dig from range for them but it is row Z material.
Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Equatorial Guinea captain and goalscorer Emilio Nsue has not scored in 19 appearances for Middlesbrough this term - albeit he has played at the back in many of those matches.
38 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
He is at it again. Equatorial's Iban Edu was dancing on the ball earlier, this time he shoots from just inside the Congo half.
He spots the goalkeeper of his line and drills one but it doesn't quite have the height. It still needs a good palmed save though.
34 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
The game has no real pattern yet. A set piece deliver from the left for Equatorial is shocking but trumped in its woeful nature by Boris Moubhibo's sliced clearance which goes for a corner.
Neither side can really get hold of the ball. What we do know is the Equatorial Guinea front three is quick, tricky and generally handy.
31 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
One of the go-to phrases managers use these days is "between the lines". I believe this means the spaces between midfield and defence. Players who can pick up space in those areas are seemingly good to have.
Let's just say such players would have a field day in this fixture as there is space everywhere. A David Silva character would fill his little boots.
29 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Nick Cavell on BBC World Service: "Slowly but surely Congo are getting back into this - they are creating their own chances - and the home crowd a cheering each time they are foiled."
27 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Our man Marvin - that's Marvin Baudry of French club Amiens - is narrowly off target with a header. A yard or two in it and the ball would have rolled into and empty net.
He out-leaped Equatorial goalkeeper Felipe Ovono who comes for a cross and gets none of it. A major let off.
Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Equatorial Guinea lead and look well-placed to continue a fine record among the host nations, with none losing their opening game in a finals in the 10 matches since 1998, when Burkina Faso were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon.
23 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Kike is down in the centre circle and he has been pole axed. Ouch, ouch and double ouch.
He was the man who created the goal remember and has some nippy footwork. It gets him on the wrong end of a mullering here though as a knee from Boris Moubhibo lands in let's just say a sensitive area.
I will leave the rest up to you...
20 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Equatorial Guinea's Diosdado Mbele Mangue, right, defends against Arnold Bouka Moutou of Congo
18 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo
Nick Cavell on BBC World Service: "Wow! I don't think I have ever heard noise like that at a football game - spine-tingling things - that must lift the players even more."
16 mins Equatorial 1-0 Congo - Emilio Nsue
Africa Cup of Nations goal one for 2015 and it is the Equatorial Guinea talisman Emilio Nsue.
Their coach is less than three weeks into the job, they didn't qualify for the tournament but scraped in as last-minute hosts and now they lead. A turn up.
Kike spins his marker on the touchline and has space to run into, Nsue's run is neat and he is found in the area to drill the ball under the on-rushing goalkeeper and into the net.
Replays show he looks offside. Controversy. What a start.
Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
Former Charlton and South Africa striker Shaun Bartlett on BBC World Service: "Winning your first game can put you on a good foot going forward an get the nation behind you. Then you can gather confidence as the tournament goes on."
14 mins Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
All aboard the showboat.
Iban Edu has just come back on after a head collision but he pirouettes on the ball 35 yards from goal to find a team-mate.
That one will make the showreel. No wonder he plays for Valencia.
Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
The 22-year-old scored within 36 seconds of his Premier League debut last January while on loan at West Brom but that goal in a 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace was the highlight of his brief stint in England.
On the books of Espanyol, he is now on loan Almeria and scored against Barcelona in November.
11 mins Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
For a group of players new to this stage, Congo are settling better here and Thievy Bifouma has a chance from a wide shooting area.
He is nicely fed, though the space on offer is plentiful, but his low drive is tipped around the post. Perhaps a cross would have been a better option.
Bifouma is a threat. A recognised name in European football.
11 mins Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
Nick Cavell on BBC World Service: "For the first time Congo controlled the ball and created a great chance - LeRoy will want his players to take more time on the ball and put those passes together more frequently."
10 mins Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
We have our first injury of the tournament. Or should I say injuries.
Iban Edu of the host nation and Marvin Baudry of Congo clash heads. It's a bit ugly but both know where they are, though it may temporarily feel like the centre of a boxing ring.
Should be OK. Magic sponge needed.
Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
7 mins Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
A zinger.
Prince Oniangue - of French club Reims - sees a bit of glory and from 35 yards thinks he will test out this new ball.
A right thwack from his right foot dips and swerves just over the bar. That was close. He puts his head in his hands as he knows that was not far off target.
5 mins Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
Nick Cavell on BBC World Service: "Great start from the hosts and that has got the crowd going and that will give the players even more confidence - Congo yet to settle and take control."
3 mins Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
Will it be nervous and tetchy? Not by the look of it...
Javier Balboa pulls the ball down in the box for Equatorial Guinea, it's a shooting chance, go on son, make yourself a national hero....not quite. A brave block. The ball wouldn't quite sit down for the leggy number 11.
A sell out... and some
Nick Cavell on BBC World Service: "It would appear that maybe we are over-full actually. The gangway in front of the media tribune is packed with fans standing up and security are trying to move them along."
1 min KICK-OFF
And we are underway, Equatorial Guinea roll the new Adidas Marhaba - the tournament's official ball - and Africa Cup of Nations 2015 is off and running.
16:04 Vote closed klaxon!
We asked you who will win the Africa Nations Cup 2015 and the overwhelming favourites are Ivory Coast with 42%. Another 21% of you plumped for Algeria and 15% went for Ghana.
Full results can be found on the right of this page.
16:02 Equatorial Guinea v Congo (16:00 GMT)
And this is actually hairs-on-end stuff.
The band in the centre of the pitch end the Equatorial Guinea national anthem but fans and players stand still and keep singing.
It is rousing and emotional. Similar scenes to that of the Brazil side at the 2014 World Cup. Deafening noise. Here we go...time for battle...
15:59 Equatorial Guinea v Congo (16:00 GMT)
And the final formalities take place, the national anthems. Many suits on the field, dignitaries aplenty.
As the Congo anthem ends, applause breaks out in the crows and now it is the turn of the hosts. Their team, decked in red, each place a hand on their heart as the tune belts out...
I'm slightly concerned I can hear a Vuvuzela or two. Please no.
Join the debate at #bbcafcon2015
@bbclovefootball tweets: This is it! The teams #EqGuinea and #Congo are on the pitch ready to meet the VIPs and then we will have some football! #BBCAfcon2015
15:58 Party time in Bata
We were not able to see any television pictures from the opening ceremony but these images give a flavour of what went on. Looks like a right good party...
15:57 Equatorial Guinea v Congo (16:00 GMT)
Right, so now you have enough tournament nous to impress (?) your pals.
But do you know your Dieumerci Mbokani from your Yassine Chikhaoui? You will after a trawl through this splendid group-by-group guide.
Join the debate at #bbcafcon2015
Nick Cavell of BBC World Service from Estadio de Bata: "Stadium is packed lots of red Equatorial Guinea shirts in the stadium as the flags are brought out on to the pitch - that means it must be nearly kick-off at last."
15:54 Equatorial Guinea v Congo (16:00 GMT)
Just five minutes to go until kick-off here at Estadio de Bata as the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 gets started.
Can Equatorial Guinea - void of a consistent build-up to the tournament - produce a shock or can Congo start on a path to success in a tournament they have only won once - in 1972.
15:54 Lost in Africa
Right, just to be clear on who is actually playing today...
Equatorial Guinea open the tournament against Congo at 1600 GMT.
Not Equatorial Guinea against DR Congo. Not Guinea against Congo. Not Guinea against DR Congo.
All four (I've counted them up on my fingers to make sure) of those nations will take part in the finals but only Equatorial Guinea and Congo are in action today.
Got that? Good. Now it's just myself and Mr Reddy who have to make sure we get our heads round it...
15:50 Equatorial Guinea v Congo (16:00 GMT)
15:48 Equatorial Guinea v Congo (16:00 GMT)
Congo are under the stewardship of Claude Le Roy, coaching at his eighth Africa Cup of Nations.
Let's just say the old soldier wasn't exactly thrilled when he discovering upon arrival in Guinea that five of his party did not have hotel rooms...
Congo: Henri Maffoumbi, Francis Nganga, Boris Moubhio, Arnold Bouka Moutou, Prince Oniangue, Delvin Ndinga, Dore Ferebory, Thievy Bifouma, Cesair Gandze, Marvin Baudry, Sagesse Babele.
Join the debate at #bbcafcon2015
Noorhiya Jenala: I believe E Guinea have done their best in 57 days to stage an incredible opening ceremony!
Tweet us your views on the tournament to #bbcafcon2015. Who will win? Which players will star?
15:44 Equatorial Guinea v Congo (16:00 GMT)
The 25-year-old usually plays at the back for Middlesbrough and turned out in midfield when with Real Mallorca and Real Sociedad in Spain. But this afternoon the Spanish-born Nsue is expected to play in attack.
After rejecting their advances for several seasons, he scored on his debut for Guinea in an unofficial friendly with Benin on in March 2013, then added a hat-trick in his second game - a 4-3 World Cup qualification win over Cape Verde.
However, he was later deemed ineligible by Fifa, who awarded a 3-0 win to Cape Verde.
Join the debate at #bbcafcon2015
Steve Crossman and Nick Cavell of BBC World Service are ready to go in Bata. You can listen to them now as they are joined by former Charlton striker Shaun Bartlett and ex-Fulham defender John Pantsil.
15:42 Equatorial Guinea v Congo (16:00 GMT)
The hosts have named their XI first and the main news is that Emilio Nsue of Middlesbrough will captain the side, with predecessor Juvenal Adjogo on the bench.
Equatorial Guinea: Felipe Ovono, Diosdado Mbele, Ivan Zarandona, Pablo Comitro, Randy, Rui Gomez, Emilio Nsue, Javier Balboa, Kike, Ivan Salvador, Sipo.
15:40 Equatorial Guinea v Congo (16:00 GMT)
Equatorial Guinea manager Esteban Becker was appointed less than three weeks before the start of the tournament.
He tasted success in the African Women's Championship with Equatorial Guinea back in 2012.
15:37 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
A potential scare for Ivory Coast ahead of their opening match on Tuesday against hosts Guinea as Yaya Toure missed training on Saturday.
The Manchester City midfielder - who won a record-equaling fourth African player of the year award this year - spent the session stretching on his own on the sidelines.
15:34 What do you need to know?
As the opening game edges closer, why not brush up on your Africa Cup of Nations knowledge with these three BBC Sport treats?
All you need to know about the 2015 tournament. Asamoah Gyan of Ghana explaining why "every time I go on to the field now it is between me and my critics". Thirty years of the Africa Cup of Nations in 60 seconds.
Join the debate at #bbcafcon2015
Fikile Mbalula, the South African minister for sport, tweets: "Equatorial Guinea must be applauded. When others gave in with fears of Ebola, they stood up. They have our back as Africans."
Equatorial Guinea stepped in to host the tournament late in 2014 after Morocco pulled out due to fears over the spread of the Ebola Virus.
15:30 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
BBC football reporter Steve Crossman from Estadio de Bata BBC World Service: "It is absolutely incredible here. At any other game anywhere in the world with 35 minutes until kick-off you wouldn't expect it to be full. It is here.
"The opening ceremony was fantastic and now they have a job on here to clear the pitch, it's full of banners and decorations.
"The big question was would the crowds turn out, well it is jam packed here."
15:27 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
The venue for the opening two matches of this year's tournament is Estadio de Bata and by AFCON standards, with a capacity of 37,500 it is a big one.
The three other venues hold far fewer spectators:
Malabo - Nuevo Estadio de Malabo - (15,250) Mongomo - Estadio de Mongomo (10,000) Ebebiyin - Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín (5,000)
Join the debate at #bbcafcon2015
Right then, this tournament has taken star names from the Premier League and other top European countries, so it's fair to say it's a big deal.
But we cannot run live texts here without your views on matters. So tweet us with your views on the tournament. Who will star? Who will win it? Any unknown players who will shine?
We are on #bbcafcon2015 and you can comment on our Facebook page.
15:24 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
There are four groups containing four teams each.
As you probably guessed teams in a group each play one another and the top two go through to the quarter-final stage. Should two sided be tied on points, they will be split by their head-to-head record.
15:22 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
15:20 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
Former Charlton and South Africa striker Shaun Bartlett on BBC World Service: "I think one of six teams can win this tournament. Nigeria are the big omissions. They were in South Africa's group and South Africa are going into this as tournament as underdogs which I probably prefer."
VOTE
But forget bookmakers' odds, who do you think will win it?
Let us know and vote by clicking on a team at the top-right of this screen.
15:14 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
This scene will not be happening again.
Nigeria has the biggest population of any African country - 185 million - according to recent estimates but they made a right pig's ear of qualifying and will not be here to defend the title they won two years ago.
Burkina Faso - boasting a number of players from Ligue 1 and La Liga - lost in the final in 2013 and are back for more. They kick-off at 19:00 GMT against Gabon.
Favourites Ivory Coast - with players such as Yaya Toure, Gervinho and Wilfried Bony - are favourites, with Algeria - so impressive at the 2014 World Cup, close up behind them.
The Desert Warriors have a killer group though and they will meet the third-favourites for the tournament - Ghana - in qualifying.
15:11 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
Nick Cavell from BBC World Service is in the stadium for the opening ceremony and has managed to pick the Senegalese/American singer Akon from the throng of singers and dancers parading around the pitch. Nope, me neither...
He adds: "Better news is that the flags of the 16 nations have arrived in the stadium, delivered by men on online skates. Not all of them look that steady, it has to be said, but they have managed to complete a circuit and roll back out of view without anybody falling over.
"Now we have two acrobats suspended under two giant bunches of balloons."
15:08 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
So the hosts. Where to begin?
They have one win in nine matches. Their manager has been appointed in the last three weeks and get this...they were eliminated from qualifying for fielding an ineligible player.
Stepping in as hosts got them back in the tournament and hats off to the country's president who bought 40,000 tickets to hand out to the public so they can attend matches.
An uphill battle for the team looks likely but their fans are bang up for it. They could not get through the gates quick enough today.
15:05 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
So what do you need to know about this famous tournament other than the fact the official mascot goes by the name of Chuku Chuku. He is a squirrel in case you were wondering and knows how to trap a ball it seems.
Aside from such critical news, this is the 30th Cup of Nations, there have been 14 different winners and the favourites this time around are Ivory Coast.
Winners last time - Nigeria - not here - dumped out in qualifying. Those 16 teams here came through seven different qualifying groups with the exception of the hosts who themselves have a staggering story. More on that next.
15:00 Welcome to the Africa Cup of Nations
How did we get here?
Around four months ago, this date was due to be a big day for Morocco - the initial hosts of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Fast forward to this very moment and as a result of the Ebola Virus epidemic in west Africa, focus shifts some 2,600 miles south east to Equatorial Guinea.
Thousands of fans, 23 days, 16 teams, four groups, four stadiums, one goal - to lift the Africa Cup of Nations.
We will cover every kick in live-text commentary for you here at BBC Sport, with your interactions, tonnes of analysis and hopefully colourful action.
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