Hosts Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso played to a disappointing 0-0 draw in their Group A clash at the African Nations Cup finals on Wednesday.

The match never reached any great heights as a spectacle and is the first goalless draw of the tournament.

The result is a bad one for Burkina Faso, whose quarterfinal qualification is now out of their own hands, while Equatorial Guinea will likely have to win their final pool clash against fancied Gabon on Sunday to advance.

As in their opener against the Gabonese last Saturday, Burkina Faso again had the better chances but failed to convert them, though they can bemoan poor luck having struck the woodwork twice.

They remain the only side in the competition yet to score a goal, a poor return for the 2013 Nations Cup finalists who came into this tournament with high hopes.

Alain Traore almost gave them the lead on 20 minutes when his free-kick cannoned off the post.

Star man Jonathan Pitroipa was the subject of some rough challenges and he was mowed down by home player Diosdado Mbele as he raced towards goal with the Guinea midfielder fortunate not to receive a red card.

Traore was unlucky again five minutes before the break when home goalkeeper Felipe Ovono pushed his volley onto the post.

The home team offered little going forward as they attempted to soak up the Burkinabe pressure and hit their opponents on the break.

This tactic almost worked midway through the second period when Kike forced a fine save from Burkina Faso goalkeeper Germain Sanou.

There was little else to enthuse over in a game that lacked the quality of others in this tournament and between two sides who in truth don't look quarterfinal material.

Equatorial Guinea will take in Gabon in their final pool match, with the Burkinabe facing a must-win clash against Congo-Brazzaville.