Friday 23 January 2015 08:23, UK
Congo went top of Africa Cup of Nations Group A after upsetting Gabon 1-0 in Bata thanks to a 48th-minute goal from captain Prince Oniangue.
Oniangue hooked the ball over goalkeeper Didier Ovono after Gabon had failed to clear a corner.
The lively midfielder then forced a fine save from Ovono with a volley from 25 yards before Frederic Bulot missed a gilt-edged chance at the other end, firing wide from 13 yards with the goal at his mercy.
Bulot had also forced a fine save from Congo 'keeper Christoffer Mafoumbi in the fourth minute, while Malick Evouna and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also went close for Gabon in the first half.
The win was Congo’s first at the finals since 1974 and moved them on to four points from two games, with Gabon second in the group with three points.
Burkina Faso played out a goalless draw with hosts Equatorial Guinea in the earlier match at the Estadio de Bata.
The stalemate left Equatorial Guinea with two points and Burkina Faso bottom of the group with a single point.
Playing in front of another sizeable partisan crowd, Equatorial Guinea had to rely on the counter attack as Burkina Faso failed to convert the game's best chances, hitting the woodwork twice.
Burkina Faso went close in the 20th minute when Alain Traore's whipped 30-yard free kick smashed Felipe Ovono's right post.
The hosts were again saved by the woodwork in the 39th minute when Ovono deflected Traore's volley from close range onto his post.
The Equatorial Guinea 'keeper was involved again five minutes from the interval, parrying away Bertrand Traore's powerful long-range effort.
Equatorial Guinea, however, looked dangerous on the break and shortly after the hour, Kike's fierce shot was blocked by Burkina ‘keeper Moussa Germain Sanou in their best chance of the game.
The final Group A fixtures will be played on Sunday with Gabon playing Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso taking on Congo, who need only a point to qualify for the quarter-finals.
