Summary

  • Aubameyang opens scoring for Gabon

  • Malick Evouna heads in to double lead

  • Burkina Faso were runners-up in 2013

  • FT: Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo

  • Nsue for hosts but Bifouma levels

Live Reporting

Luke Reddy and Andy Cryer

  1. What do you need to know?

    So what do you need to know about this famous tournament other than the fact the official mascot goes by the name of Chuku Chuku. He is a squirrel in case you were wondering and knows how to trap a ball it seems.

    CHuku CHuku

    Aside from such critical news, this is the 30th Cup of Nations, there have been 14 different winners and the favourites this time around are Ivory Coast.

    Winners last time - Nigeria - not here - dumped out in qualifying. Those 16 teams here came through seven different qualifying groups with the exception of the hosts who themselves have a staggering story. More on that next.

  2. It's a long way to Equatorial Guinea

    How did we get here?

    Around four months ago, this date was due to be a big day for Morocco - the initial hosts of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Map of Africa

    Fast forward to this very moment and as a result of the Ebola Virus epidemic in west Africa, focus shifts some 2,600 miles south east to Equatorial Guinea.

    Thousands of fans, 23 days, 16 teams, four groups, four stadiums, one goal - to lift the Africa Cup of Nations.

    Africa Cup of Nations trophyGetty Images

    We will cover every kick in live-text commentary for you here at BBC Sport, with your interactions, tonnes of analysis and hopefully colourful action.