Africa Cup of Nations: Emilio Nsue scores hat-trick as Equatorial ...

Published 18/01/2024 at 17:35 GMT

Emilio Nsue scored a hat-trick as Equatorial Guinea defeated Guinea-Bissau 4-2 in Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The victory puts Equatorial Guinea within touching distance of the knockout stage after they drew 1-1 against Nigeria in their opening match.

Nsue opened the scoring at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan, but Guinea-Bissau, seeking their first ever victory at the tournament, were soon back in it.

Esteban Orozco scored an own goal while under pressure from Guinea-Bissau’s Franculino Dju, with the striker then winning a penalty just moments later following a challenge from Saul Coco.

Guinea-Bissau were denied the opportunity to take the lead after the referee consulted VAR and overturned the decision to award the penalty, with the half-time whistle blowing on a 1-1 score-line.

Equatorial Guinea were quickly back in front through Josete Miranda as the second half got underway, before Nsue scored in the 51st and 61st minute to secure his hat-trick.

A goal from Ze Turbo in stoppage time was not enough for Guinea-Bissau to turn the result around.

Nsue, who captained Equatorial Guinea to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in 2015, scored the first hat-trick at the tournament since Soufiane Alloudi’s three goals for Morocco against Namibia in 2008.

The 34-year-old enjoyed a successful stint at Real Mallorca during the prime of his career, also playing for Middlesbrough and Birmingham City in the Championship. He is now at Intercity in the Spanish third tier.

Equatorial Guinea look likely to progress to the knockouts, even if they fail to get a result against hosts Ivory Coast in their final group stage match – the four best third-placed teams also advance to the last 16.

Progression looks less likely for Guinea-Bissau, who currently have zero points and a fixture against three-time champions Nigeria as their last group stage match.

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