18th January, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Emilio Nsue has scored a hat-trick as Equatorial Guinea demolished Guinea Bissau 4-2 at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
Equatorial Guinea will remain on top of Group A except Cote d’Ivoire beat Nigeria in the other group game later in the day.
Equatorial Guinea opened the scoring in the 21st minute of the game. Pablo Ganet displayed great vision and sent a pass to Nsue, who showed brilliant composure inside the box to bury the ball inside the right post.
Guinea Bissau equalised in the 37th minute through an own goal. Esteban Orozco, attempting to intercept an offensive pass, scored an own goal.
Shortly after the break, Equatorial Guinea made it 2-1. Josete Miranda fired a brilliant volley into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box, leaving the goalkeeper helpless, with Jesus Owono providing the assist.
In the 51st minute, Equatorial Guinea added another goal to make it 3-1. Basilio Ndong played a terrific cross-over to Nsue, who found some space inside the box and put the ball into the back of the net.
Ten minutes later, Nsue got his hat trick. Initially, the referee ruled the goal offside, but VAR said it was a goal, giving Equatorial Guinea a 4-1 lead.
Three minutes into added time, Guinea Bissau pulled one back through Ze Turbo. It was also initially ruled out for offside, but a check on VAR showed it was a goal. The match ended 4-2.