# 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Group A

Group A of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations was played from 17 January until 25 January in Equatorial Guinea. The group consisted of the hosts Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, Gabon, and Congo. Congo and Equatorial Guinea advanced as group winners and runners-up respectively, while Gabon and Burkina Faso were eliminated.

## Teams

| Draw position | Team | Method of qualification | Date of qualification | Finals appearance | Last appearance | Previous best performance | CAF Rankings Points | FIFA Rankings Start of event |
| A1 | Equatorial Guinea | Hosts | 14 November 2014 | 2nd | 2012 | Quarter-finals (2012) | 9 | 118 |
| A2 | Burkina Faso | Group C runners-up | 15 November 2014 | 10th | 2013 | Runners-up (2013) | 40 | 64 |
| A3 | Gabon | Group C winners | 15 November 2014 | 6th | 2012 | Quarter-finals (1996, 2012) | 22 | 62 |
| A4 | Congo | Group A runners-up | 19 November 2014 | 7th | 2000 | Winners (1972) | 13 | 61 |

### Notes

* ↑ The CAF rankings were used for seeding for the final draw.

## Standings

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Congo | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Equatorial Guinea (H) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 5 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 3 | Gabon | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 3 | |
| 4 | Burkina Faso | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1 | |
In the quarter-finals:
* Congo advanced to play DR Congo (runner-up of Group B).
* Equatorial Guinea advanced to play Tunisia (winner of Group B).

## Matches

All times local, WAT (UTC+1).

### Equatorial Guinea vs Congo

The first goal of the tournament was scored by Emilio Nsue. Receiving a through ball from Kike, he slotted the ball low past the goalkeeper with his right foot from six yards out to open the scoring for the hosts after 16 minutes. Thievy Bifouma scored the equalizer for Congo with three minutes left, after being played in by Dominique Malonga, he slotted it low into the net from the right of the six yard box.
| Equatorial Guinea | Congo |
| GK | 1 | Felipe Ovono | 81' |
| RB | 22 | Pablo Ganet | | 46' |
| CB | 5 | Diosdado Mbele | 26' |
| CB | 4 | Rui |
| LB | 16 | Sipo |
| RM | 11 | Javier Balboa | 89' |
| CM | 21 | Iván Zarandona |
| CM | 8 | Randy |
| LM | 14 | Kike | | 59' |
| CF | 15 | Ibán | | 90+2' |
| CF | 10 | Emilio Nsue (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 18 | Viera Ellong | | 46' |
| MF | 7 | Rubén Belima | | 59' |
| FW | 12 | Iván Bolado | | 90+2' |
| Manager: ||
| Esteban Becker ||
| GK | 1 | Christoffer Mafoumbi |
| RB | 2 | Francis N'Ganga |
| CB | 4 | Boris Moubhibo | 24' |
| CB | 5 | Arnold Bouka Moutou | | 78' |
| LB | 18 | Marvin Baudry |
| RM | 21 | Sagesse Babélé |
| CM | 7 | Prince Oniangué (c) |
| CM | 14 | Césaire Gandzé | | 60' |
| LM | 8 | Delvin N'Dinga |
| CF | 10 | Férébory Doré | | 65' |
| CF | 13 | Thievy Bifouma |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 11 | Fabrice Ondama | | 60' |
| FW | 15 | Ladislas Douniama | | 65' |
| FW | 19 | Dominique Malonga | | 78' |
| Manager: ||
| Claude Le Roy ||
* Man of the Match:
* Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea)
* Assistant referees:
* Evarist Menkouande (Cameroon)
* Marwa Range (Kenya)
* Fourth official:
* Hamada Nampiandraza (Madagascar)

### Burkina Faso vs Gabon

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring in the 19th minute, as after his initial shot was saved, he collected the rebound and calmly slotted home from seven yards out with his right foot. Gabon sealed the win in the 72nd minute with Malick Evouna's header from Frédéric Bulot's cross.
| Burkina Faso | Gabon |
| GK | 23 | Germain Sanou |
| RB | 5 | Mohamed Koffi |
| CB | 2 | Steeve Yago |
| CB | 4 | Bakary Koné |
| LB | 13 | Narcisse Bambara |
| RM | 19 | Bertrand Traoré |
| CM | 18 | Charles Kaboré (c) |
| CM | 6 | Djakaridja Koné | 77' |
| LM | 17 | Jonathan Zongo | 66' |
| CF | 10 | Alain Traoré |
| CF | 11 | Jonathan Pitroipa |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 15 | Aristide Bancé | 66' |
| MF | 22 | Préjuce Nakoulma | 77' |
| Manager: ||
| Paul Put ||
| GK | 1 | Didier Ovono |
| RB | 8 | Lloyd Palun |
| CB | 5 | Bruno Ecuele Manga |
| CB | 4 | Yrondu Musavu-King |
| LB | 6 | Johann Obiang | 77' |
| DM | 11 | Lévy Madinda | | 83' |
| RM | 22 | Didier Ibrahim N'Dong | 40' | 63' |
| LM | 17 | André Biyogo Poko |
| AM | 10 | Frédéric Bulot | 53' |
| CF | 7 | Malick Evouna | | 87' |
| CF | 9 | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 12 | Guélor Kanga | | 63' |
| MF | 13 | Samson Mbingui | | 83' |
| FW | 3 | Johann Lengoualama | | 87' |
| Manager: ||
| Jorge Costa ||
* Man of the Match:
* Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
* Assistant referees:
* Angesom Ogbamariam (Eritrea)
* Zakhele Thusi Siwela (South Africa)
* Fourth official:
* Med Said Kordi (Tunisia)

### Equatorial Guinea vs Burkina Faso

In the first goalless draw of the tournament, Burkina Faso hit the post twice, first through a free kick by Alain Traoré, then later when his shot was tipped to the post by Felipe Ovono.
| Equatorial Guinea | Burkina Faso |
| GK | 1 | Felipe Ovono |
| RB | 8 | Randy |
| CB | 5 | Diosdado Mbele | 28' |
| CB | 4 | Rui |
| LB | 16 | Sipo |
| DM | 21 | Iván Zarandona |
| RM | 14 | Kike | | 81' |
| CM | 18 | Viera Ellong |
| CM | 11 | Javier Balboa | | 83' |
| LM | 15 | Ibán | | 71' |
| CF | 10 | Emilio Nsue (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 6 | Juvenal | | 71' |
| FW | 12 | Iván Bolado | | 81' |
| FW | 9 | Raúl Fabiani | | 83' |
| Manager: ||
| Esteban Becker ||
| GK | 23 | Germain Sanou |
| RB | 5 | Mohamed Koffi |
| CB | 4 | Bakary Koné |
| CB | 2 | Steeve Yago |
| LB | 9 | Issa Gouo | 23' |
| DM | 6 | Djakaridja Koné |
| CM | 18 | Charles Kaboré (c) |
| RW | 11 | Jonathan Pitroipa | | 82' |
| AM | 10 | Alain Traoré |
| LW | 19 | Bertrand Traoré |
| CF | 15 | Aristide Bancé |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 22 | Préjuce Nakoulma | | 82' |
| Manager: ||
| Paul Put ||
* Man of the Match:
* Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea)
* Assistant referees:
* Evarist Menkouande (Cameroon)
* Ali Waleed Ahmed (Sudan)
* Fourth official:
* Mohamed Said Kordi (Tunisia)

### Gabon vs Congo

Congo secured their first win in the Africa Cup of Nations since 1974, as Prince Oniangué scored the only goal in the 48th minute after the Gabon defence failed to clear a corner.
| Gabon | Congo |
| GK | 1 | Didier Ovono |
| RB | 8 | Lloyd Palun |
| CB | 5 | Bruno Ecuele Manga |
| CB | 2 | Aaron Appindangoyé |
| LB | 6 | Johann Obiang |
| DM | 11 | Lévy Madinda | | 84' |
| RM | 22 | Didier Ibrahim N'Dong | | 56' |
| LM | 17 | André Biyogo Poko | 74' |
| AM | 10 | Frédéric Bulot | | 89' |
| CF | 7 | Malick Evouna |
| CF | 9 | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 12 | Guélor Kanga | | 56' |
| MF | 13 | Samson Mbingui | | 84' |
| FW | 3 | Johann Lengoualama | | 89' |
| Manager: ||
| Jorge Costa ||
| GK | 1 | Christoffer Mafoumbi |
| RB | 18 | Marvin Baudry |
| CB | 21 | Sagesse Babélé |
| CB | 4 | Boris Moubhibo | 45+1' |
| LB | 6 | Dimitri Bissiki |
| RM | 14 | Césaire Gandzé | | 74' |
| CM | 8 | Delvin N'Dinga |
| CM | 7 | Prince Oniangué (c) |
| LM | 5 | Arnold Bouka Moutou | | 87' |
| CF | 13 | Thievy Bifouma |
| CF | 10 | Férébory Doré | | 75' |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 11 | Fabrice Ondama | | 74' |
| MF | 17 | Chris Malonga | | 75' |
| DF | 2 | Francis N'Ganga | | 87' |
| Manager: ||
| Claude Le Roy ||
* Man of the Match:
* Prince Oniangué (Congo)
* Assistant referees:
* Peter Edibe (Nigeria)
* Tahssen Abo El Sadat Bedyer (Egypt)
* Fourth official:
* Gehad Grisha (Egypt)

### Gabon vs Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea took the lead in the 55th minute through Javier Balboa's penalty, awarded after he was brought down by Lloyd Palun. They sealed the win in the 86th minute, as Ibán converted the rebound after Emilio Nsue's shot was saved, confirming their qualification to the knockout stage and eliminating Gabon.
| Gabon | Equatorial Guinea |
| GK | 1 | Didier Ovono |
| RB | 8 | Lloyd Palun | 54' |
| CB | 5 | Bruno Ecuele Manga |
| CB | 2 | Aaron Appindangoyé |
| LB | 6 | Johann Obiang | 16' | 83' |
| DM | 11 | Lévy Madinda |
| RM | 12 | Guélor Kanga | | 76' |
| LM | 17 | André Biyogo Poko | | 69' |
| AM | 10 | Frédéric Bulot |
| CF | 7 | Malick Evouna |
| CF | 9 | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 22 | Didier Ibrahim N'Dong | | 69' |
| FW | 21 | Romaric Rogombé | | 76' |
| FW | 3 | Johann Lengoualama | | 83' |
| Manager: ||
| Jorge Costa ||
| GK | 1 | Felipe Ovono |
| RB | 8 | Randy | 19' |
| CB | 2 | Dani Evuy |
| CB | 4 | Rui |
| LB | 16 | Sipo |
| RM | 14 | Kike | | 68' |
| CM | 18 | Viera Ellong |
| CM | 21 | Iván Zarandona | 50' |
| LM | 11 | Javier Balboa |
| CF | 10 | Emilio Nsue (c) | | 89' |
| CF | 9 | Raúl Fabiani | | 76' |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 15 | Ibán | 86' | 68' |
| MF | 6 | Juvenal | | 76' |
| FW | 17 | Rubén Darío | | 89' |
| Manager: ||
| Esteban Becker ||
* Man of the Match:
* Javier Balboa (Equatorial Guinea)
* Assistant referees:
* Djibril Camara (Senegal)
* Aboubacar Doumbouya (Guinea)
* Fourth official:
* Bernard Camille (Seychelles)

### Congo vs Burkina Faso

Congo took the lead in the 51st minute, when Férébory Doré crossed for Thievy Bifouma to convert from close range. Burkina Faso equalized in the 86th minute, after Aristide Bancé scored from Issiaka Ouédraogo's cross, but Congo retook the lead one minute later, as from a Congo free kick, Burkina Faso goalkeeper Germain Sanou punched the ball and it hit Fabrice Ondama and went into the net. As a result, Congo qualified as group winners while Burkina Faso were eliminated.
| Congo | Burkina Faso |
| GK | 1 | Christoffer Mafoumbi |
| RB | 18 | Marvin Baudry |
| CB | 21 | Sagesse Babélé |
| CB | 2 | Francis N'Ganga |
| LB | 6 | Dimitri Bissiki |
| DM | 8 | Delvin N'Dinga |
| RM | 5 | Arnold Bouka Moutou |
| CM | 7 | Prince Oniangué (c) |
| LM | 12 | Francis Litsingi | 89' |
| CF | 13 | Thievy Bifouma | 63' |
| CF | 10 | Férébory Doré | 75' |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 15 | Ladislas Douniama | 63' |
| FW | 11 | Fabrice Ondama | 75' |
| MF | 14 | Césaire Gandzé | 89' |
| Manager: ||
| Claude Le Roy ||
| GK | 23 | Germain Sanou |
| RB | 5 | Mohamed Koffi |
| CB | 4 | Bakary Koné |
| CB | 2 | Steeve Yago |
| LB | 9 | Issa Gouo | 59' |
| CM | 18 | Charles Kaboré (c) |
| CM | 10 | Alain Traoré |
| CM | 6 | Djakaridja Koné |
| RW | 22 | Préjuce Nakoulma | 58' |
| LW | 11 | Jonathan Pitroipa |
| CF | 21 | Abdou Traoré | 73' |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 19 | Bertrand Traoré | 58' |
| FW | 15 | Aristide Bancé | 59' |
| FW | 20 | Issiaka Ouédraogo | 73' |
| Manager: ||
| Paul Put ||
* Man of the Match:
* Fabrice Ondama (Congo)
* Assistant referees:
* El Hadji Malick Samba (Senegal)
* Oamogetse Godisamang (Botswana)
* Fourth official:
* Victor Gomes (South Africa)