Kike shows nice skill to draw a foul from Gouo, and Equatorial Guinea have a free kick in a dangerous area. Kike insists on taking it, and blots his copybook by floating it innocuously over the bar. Wasteful.

Image source, AP

Djakaridja Kone tries to slide in Bertrand Traore down the inside-right channel for Burkina but the Chelsea man is marginally offside. Then Equatorial Guinea surge down the other end, and there are optimistic shouts for a penalty from the home fans as Nsue flops to the the ground, but nothing doing - that was a good strong challenge by Yago.

A slighty scrappy opening, Burkina Faso looking the more comfortable on the ball of the sides. The main team news for the Stallions is the return to the starting line-up of striker Aristide Bance, a key man in their run to the final last time.

We're underway. The Equatorial Guinea strikers kick off, one of them wearing CR7 boots.

Image source, Reuters

A crackling atmosphere in Bata, even if it is a Wednesday afternoon. A rousing chorus of the Equato-Guinean anthem, which as you knew is called 'Caminemos pisando las sendas de nuestra inmensa felicidad', which translates as 'Let us walk the paths of our immense happiness'.

Stern expressions on the faces of the Burkinabe, who of course are determined to block the host nation's path to immense happiness.

Burkina Faso: Sanou, Koffi, Bakary Kone, Yago, Gouo, Djakaridja Kone, Kabore ; Bertrand Traore, Alain Traore, Pitroipa; Bance.

Equatorial Guinea: Ovono, Randy, Mbele, Rui, Sipo; Zarandona, Doualla, Kike Boula, Javi Balboa, Nsue, Edu Salvado.

Image source, Getty Images

Of course, Burkina Faso will have their own point to prove today. They were hotly tipped to do well in this tournament after finishing runners-up last time out, but suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Gabon in their first game.

Paul Put's side have a much-vaunted forward line, including Afcon qualifying top scorer Jonathan Pitroipa and Chelsea starlet Bertrand Traore, but they drew a blank as Gabon keeper Didier Ovono turned in an inspired performance.

They will need to bounce back strongly today, as another defeat could spell the end of their 2015 Afcon dreams.

Image source, Getty Images

Equatorial Guinea will be looking to build on a very respectable showing the tournament's curtain-raiser, when they held Congo to a 1-1 draw.

If for some unaccountable reason you had better things to do with your Saturday afternoon, allow us to recap. Middlesbrough's Emilio Nsue (not to be confused with fondly-remembered former Liverpool full-back Emiliano Insua) gave the hosts the lead with a cool finish, and was cruelly denied a second when the referee incorrectly chalked off a superb lob for offside.

However, the hosts faded in the latter stages, allowing Congo to steal a late equaliser through Thievy Bifouma. A battling draw was no disaster though, and they'll fancy their chances of springing a surprise against Burkina Faso this afternoon.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations! Today we begin the second round of group-stage fixtures.

That means another look at the four teams in Group A. Later on we'll see if Gabon can claim their second win of the tournament against Congo, but first we focus on the hosts. Equatorial Guinea v Burkina Faso is the first match, and whilst it may not be a clash of global heavyweights, it has the potential to be an under-the-radar classic.

Image source, Getty Images

Equatorial Guinea shouldn't have been at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. The National Thunder were disqualified from the qualifying competition after fielding an ineligible player during a first-round tie against Mauritania, and had to look on longingly as their continental neighbours slugged it out for a place in the finals.

But their story wasn't over. Designated host nation Morocco pulled out due to fears over the Ebola virus, and when Caf came calling for a new host at two months' notice, Equatorial Guinea put its hand up. From zero to hero - like a naughty sixth-former banned from the school field trip for smoking behind the bike sheds, only to save the day when the coach breaks down by offering to let their classmates camp out in their back garden.

Now the new hosts have a chance to be heroes on the pitch. They might be the lowest-ranked nation at the tournament, but they were impressive in drawing their opening game against Congo, and a win today against Burkina Faso would leave them well-placed to qualify for the knockout stages. Can the National Thunder keep on rolling?