LEAD: Co-hosts Equatorial Guinea off to winning start at Nations Cup

Jan 21, 2012, 22:46 GMT

Bata, Equatorial Guinea - Javier Balboa's late goal against Libya gave co-hosts Equatorial Guinea a winning 1-0 start to the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

Spanish-born Balboa, who played for Real Madrid for two seasons from 2006, scored with a well-taken goal after being set-up by Daniel Ekedo two minutes from time to give the home side victory in their group A match.

The winning coach Gilson Paulo, who only took over the team a few weeks ago after Frenchman Henri Michel resigned, said the side had played a good game.

'We hadn't trained a lot together but nevertheless we still won. The team made the most of the tactics. Despite the win, we were still short in some areas and we have to work on that.'

A colorful opening ceremony, involving cultural dancers, singers and a fireworks display, started proceedings in the Estadio de Bata.

Libya had, just hours before the planned kick-off, threatened to boycott the match after tournament organizers used the old Libyan flag on their website. But after assurances that the issue would be addressed, players took to the field.

The home side, which began their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations game with several naturalized players, had the best chance of the first half when Juvenal Owono hit the upright in the 16th minute.

The ball came to Ivan Bolado, whose shot trickled through goalkeeper Samir Aboud's legs and crossed the line before being knocked out of the goal by a Libyan defender, before being pushed back into goal by an Equatorial Guinea player.

Controversially, Ivorian referee Desire Doue Noumandiez ruled the goal offside.

Libya, who played the match in all-white, having discarded the all-green they played in under the Gaddafi regime, during which Muammar Gaddafi's son Al-Saadi was at times captain of the national team and president of the football federation, then got back into the game, without creating any real chances.

The second half continued much as the first had been played as both sides gave away possession easily in the middle of the pitch.

Aboud made amends for his earlier mistake with a good save from a free-kick by Liberian-born Lawrence Doe in the 73rd minute.

Ahmed Zuway nearly won the game for the Libyans seven minutes from the end when he was given a clear shot at goal after a goal-mouth scramble, but missed the target.

Balboa then scored the winner with two minutes to go, heralding a tumultuous ending to the game during which substitute Djamal Mahamat forced a good save by the Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Danilo and Narcisse Ekanga hit the cross-bar for the hosts.

Libyan coach Marcos Paqueta, who like Paulo is Brazilian, tried to console his players after the game. 'Nothing is decided as far as qualifying for the next round is concerned. This is not the end of our story.'

The later group game sees Zambia take on one of the tournament favorites in Senegal.