African Nations Cup: Equatorial Guinea advance with 2-0 win over Gabon

Equatorial Guinea's players celebrate after scoring a goal during the 2015 African Cup of Nations group A football match between Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, on January 25, 2015 in Bata. AFP PHOTO / CARL DE SOUZA

Equatorial Guinea reached the African Nations Cup quarter-finals after second-half goals by Javier Balboa and substitute Iban Salvador gave them a 2-0 win over Gabon in a pulsating Group A clash on Sunday.

The victory ensured the host nation finished runners-up with five points and advanced two points adrift of group winners Congo, who edged Burkina Faso 2-1.

Having soaked up incessant pressure throughout the match, Equatorial Guinea took the lead against the run of play after forward Javier Balboa was fouled and then blasted home the spot-kick in the 55th minute.

Salvador rounded off a swift break in the closing stages, sweeping home a rebound after Gabon keeper Didier Ovono parried an Emilio Nsue shot straight into his path.

Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Felipe Ovono was central to their success, having produced a string of superb saves to deny Gabon forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frederic Bulot.