AFCON 2015: Emilio Nsue Admits Burkina Faso Were Superior in Group A Draw
By BBC Sport Africa
Bata – 22 January 2015
Equatorial Guinea captain Emilio Nsue has acknowledged that Burkina Faso were the stronger side during their goalless draw in Wednesday’s Group A clash at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nsue, who scored the tournament’s opening goal against Congo, struggled to make an impact in front of goal as the host nation was held to a second consecutive draw. Despite the result, Equatorial Guinea remain unbeaten and still in contention for a place in the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the match, Nsue admitted that the Stallions, runners-up in 2013, had the better of the chances and deserved more from the game.
“Burkina Faso were a little superior,” said the Middlesbrough forward at the post-match press conference. “They had more chances and played with more intensity. We tried to stay compact and keep our shape, but it’s true we didn’t create many chances.”
Equatorial Guinea struggled to assert themselves against a Burkina Faso side that desperately needed a result after losing their opening match 2-0 to Gabon. The Stallions dominated possession and came closest to scoring through Alain Traoré, who struck the post, and Aristide Bancé, who forced a fine save from goalkeeper Felipe Ovono.
Nsue’s Nzalang Nacional had few clear openings but held firm defensively to secure a valuable point in front of their home supporters in Bata.
“The draw is a good result for us,” Nsue added. “We are still alive in this tournament, and now we must focus on our last group game.”
Equatorial Guinea’s final group fixture will be against Gabon, while Burkina Faso will face Congo, with all four sides still in contention to qualify from what has become a tightly contested Group A.
