Last-match crunch clash for Black Cats’ Ndong

Sunderland midfielder Didier Ndong’s Gabon are facing a make-or-break final group game in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The host nation were held to a second successive 1-1 draw in Group A last night, coming from behind to equalise against Burkina Faso.

The point leaves Gabon in danger of missing out on progress to the knockout stages.

Cameroon, who meet Gabon in the final sectional tie on Sunday, top the table with four points from two games. Gabon and Burkina Faso are each on two points, both with a pair of 1-1 draws, and Guinea-Bissau have one point, following their loss to Cameroon last night.

With Burkina Faso going up against minnows Guinea Bissau in the last game, Gabon are likely to need a win over Cameroon to avoid a shock early exit. A draw would not be enough if Burkina Faso win.

Ndong again played the full 90 minutes for Gabon.

Prejuce Nakoulma opened the scoring for Burkina Faso on 23 minutes, but Pierre Emerick Aubameyang levelled before the break, converting a penalty after being fouled by the opposition goalkeeper.

Ndong himself had a quiet game, struggling to assert his authority on the midfield.

Gabon coach Jose Antonio Camacho made a surprise decision to drop Juventus star Mario Lemina from the side and Ndong’s influence waned in the absence of the talented playmaker.

An early exit would likely mean Ndong could well be available for selection when Spurs visit the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, January 31.

Gabon’s progression to the latter stages could see Ndong unavailable for club action until February 11, when Southampton are the opponents on Wearside.

In last night’s other tie, Guinea-Bissau rocked Cameroon with an early opening goal from Piqueti, but Sebastien Siani and Michael NgadeuNgadju both netted in the final 27 minutes to take Cameroon top of the group.

Meanwhile, Sunderland winger Wahbi Khazri’s Tunisia are in Group B action tonight, against North African rivals Algeria, and are also in danger of missing out on the knockout rounds, following a 2-0 opening defeat to Senegal.

Khazri will hope for a starting spot, having been a sub on Sunday.