Gabon's Andre Poko, right, wins a header during their African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match against Equatorial Guinea in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Associated Press
BATA, Equatorial Guinea (AP) - Host Equatorial Guinea is through to the quarterfinals at the African Cup of Nations, eliminating Gabon with a 2-0 win in their last group game.
Javier Balboa won a penalty and converted it in the 55th minute as Bata Stadium erupted. Substitute Iban Edu added a second in the 86th minute to make sure of the win.
Equatorial Guinea's equation was simple heading into the final round of Group A games: A win would guarantee the home team a place in the last eight.
Gabon was the better team in the first half, with forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frederic Bulot both denied clear opportunities by Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Felipe Ovono.
Equatorial Guinea was full of life in the second half and Balboa and Edu sent it to the quarterfinals.
Gabon's Johann Obiang, right, wins a header against Equatorial Guinea's Raul Fabian Bosio, during their African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Associated Press
Equatorial Guinea fans sing as they hold an image copy of the tournament trophy ahead of the African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Associated Press
Equatorial Guinea's players warm up for their African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match against Gabon in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Associated Press
Equatorial Guinea's goalkeeper Felipe Ovono, dives for the ball as teammate Viera Ellong Doualla, right, and Gabon's Pierre Aubameyang, center, watch during their African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Associated Press
Equatorial Guinea fans sing as they hold a copy of the tournament trophy ahead of the African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Associated Press
Equatorial Guinea fans walks toward the stadium ahead of the African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Associated Press