Journey with us down to Equatorial Guinea, where 16 teams are about to meet in the finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. They’ve been divided into four groups, with the top two finishers in each progressing to the knockout stages. There are definitely some favorites (Hello, Algeria) and there are teams attempting redemption (Cameroon). We’ve got some familiar faces (Ghana, Ivory Coast) and we have some unknowns (Equatorial Guinea).
Africa Cup of Nations 2015: Schedule and how to watch on Day 1
Hosts Equatorial Guinea meet Congo prior to Gabon taking on Burkina Faso.
But if there’s anything this tournament’s shown over the years, it’s that it almost always has the capacity to surprise. Really, it’s anyone’s guess which sides will be taking the field come the final on February 8.
The news from yesterday: Today’s the first day! Hurray!
Day One -- Saturday, January 17
Group A
Equatorial Guinea vs. Congo -- 11 a.m. ET
Watch: beIN Sport Connect (USA and Canada); Eurosport 2 (where available); other options available here
Let’s be blunt: pitting the side that had to buy their way into the competition (Equatorial Guinea had been disqualified, only to be reinstated as hosts) against a team that advanced by virtue of another side’s cheating (Congo went through after Rwanda fielded an ineligible player) might not make for the best start to a tournament. With Gabon and Burkino Faso both tipped to progress, both these sides will be hoping for miracles. But with both knowing that a draw would do little good, perhaps they’ll entertain while chasing all three points.
2015 AFCON
Gabon vs. Burkina Faso -- 2 p.m. ET
Watch: beIN Sport Connect (USA and Canada); Eurosport 2 (where available); other options available here
If you’re thinking we recently saw this matchup, well, you’d be right. These two sides met in the third round of qualifying, with Gabon somewhat surprisingly topping the group, earning a point more than Burkina Faso, who were runners up in 2013 AFCON. Gabon took four points from their two games, and so should be favorites to win this one as well. But Burkina Faso is still a strong, coherent side, disciplined at the back yet unafraid to go forward. With both sides playing attractive, fluid football, no matter the result, this one should at least be a joy to watch.
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