Off the wire
• Nobel Prize-winning economist believes in future of China  • China, Grenada celebrate 10th anniversary of ties resumption  • Industrial action to resume in Belgium  • OECD recommends tax reform for Colombia  • Burkina Faso hope to recover after false start in 2015 Africa Cup  • 18 pct more Chinese visit Holland in 2014, fastest growth  • 1st LD: Shiite Houthi gunmen seize presidential palace in Yemen's capital  • Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Jan. 20  • Bulgarian president calls for urgent reforms  • Philippines starts preparing for annual National Games  
You are here: 　 Home

Gabon target early quarterfinal spot in 2015 Africa Cup

Xinhua, January 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Panthers of Gabon have vowed to make early qualification for the quarterfinal stage at the on-going 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Equatorial Guinea.

A win for the Gabon team against Congo Brazzaville at the Bata Stadium on Wednesday will see them book a place in the next round of the competition.

Star player and skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored one of the goals in their 2-0 win over Burkina Faso in the opening match, told Xinhua that although they respect all the teams in the tournament, they want to make their work easier by winning the next game.

"It was good we managed to pick maximum points in the first game, but we also need to go all out and make it two wins, so that we qualify for the quarter finals," explained the Aubameyang who plays for Germany Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

Victory for Gabon will take them to six points before they play their last Group A game against Equatorial Guinea on Jan. 25.

But Congo Brazzaville's experienced coach, Claude Le Roy has said that his team has now settled down and recovered well.

"After fighting to earn a draw against the hosts in the opening match, we now need to come out and win against Gabon. We know they are a tough team, but it's only a win that will make it more easier for us," added the much traveled coach.

The Congo Brazzaville team will hope that Thievy Bifouma Koulossa, who scored in the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, can find his scoring form again. Endi