Aubameyang seals top spot and home quarter-final for Gabon

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his third goal in as many games as co-hosts Gabon confirmed top spot in Group C with a 1-0 win over Tunisia in the Africa Nations Cup in Libreville last night.

Aubameyang scored the only goal of the game in the 62nd minute to ensure his nation will stay in their capital city for the quarter-finals. Tunisia, as runners-up in the group, also qualify.

Tunisia started well with Saber Khelifa and Wissem Ben Yahia firing shots from long range while Youssef Msakni’s influence down the flanks was pinning the hosts back in their own half.

Roguy Meye missed the target with a 25th minute head as Gabon began to edge their way back into the game, Meye then blazing a long-range shot wide with Tunisia goalkeeper Rami Jeridi looking full of nerves.

Meye and Andre Biyogo Poko both came close as the game edged towards half-time, and in the last chance of an entertaining first half Aubameyang burst down the right flank before hitting a cross which the Tunisia defence did well to clear.

Gabon started the second half with much more purpose, Edmond Mouele cutting into the box to hit a long shot which was deflected out for a corner, and Lloyd Palun heading wide in front of goal.

Aubameyang finally broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute when he raced on the end of a swift counter-attack by his side and beat Tunisian keeper Jeridi with a crisp right-foot finish.

Aubameyang was denied a late penalty when he fell in the box and, with tempers beginning to fray on both sides, the hosts held out for a win which underlines their status as one of the tournament’s favourites.

Niger 0 Morocco 1

Morocco denied Niger their first ever Africa Cup of Nations point with a 1-0 win in their closing Group C tie.

With all of Gabon glued to events up in Franceville the L’Amitie stadium was nearly empty.

Niger, 45 minutes away from an historic first Nations cup point, held a prayer session before the restart.

But in the 89th minute Arsenal’s Marouane Chamakh fed Montpellier midfielder Younes Belhanda whose sliding right-footed shot broke Niger’s hearts and perhaps kept Morocco coach Eric Gerets in a job.