Amiably: A group of Angola fans have ridden motorbikes more than 2,500 kilometres through five countries to watch matches at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

The 10-man party has struggled with border problems, heat and insect bites during the seven-day ride up the west coast of Africa.

Jorge Almeida adjusted his faded black cap and stretched his sunburned arms to show where the tanned skin is starting to peel off. The 53-year-old has taken time off from running a small freight company in the Angolan capital Luanda to take part in the trip.

‘Worth it'

"It's taken us a week and we've crossed four borders to get here," Almeida said on Friday. "But it's been worth it for all the people we've met and to support the team."

The bikers, who arrived in a convoy of six motorcycles and two cars, have swelled a contingent of about 500 Angola fans who have taken over a newly-built apartment block on the highway near the Estadio de Malabo.

The pocket of fans has provided colourful and noisy support as Angola, in its sixth African Cup, edges toward a quarterfinal spot.

The bikers crossed from Angola to Congo, through Republic of Congo and Gabon, before reaching mainland Equatorial Guinea. The motorbikes were then shipped across to the island capital of Malabo while the riders took a 30-minute plane ride.

During the journey, the riders stayed in remote villages, asking permission from local chiefs to set up camp.