22nd January, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Equatorial Guinea demolished host Cote d’Ivoire 4-0 in Abidjan on Monday to qualify for the round of 16 as Group A winner, while the host’s qualification is now in jeopardy.
Cote d’Ivoire needed at least a draw to go through as one of the best losers or a win to qualify automatically, but the Guinean side flattened the Elephants in an embarrassing defeat.
Equatorial Guinea took the lead in the 42nd minute to silence the capacity-filled stadium. Carlos Akapo showed great vision to find Emilio Nsue with a cheeky pass inside the box, and his first-time shot was precise and sailed into the bottom left corner.
Cote d’Ivoire hit back three minutes later but the goal was ruled out for an offside.
Midway into the second half, the host scored another goal but the referee ruled it out again for offside.
In the 73rd minute, the Central African side doubled their lead. Pablo Ganet unleashed a beautiful rocket of a shot from a long-range free kick. The ball went into the top left corner and left the goalkeeper beaten.
Two minutes later, Equatorial Guinea made it 3-0. Nsue received a killer pass and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he coolly sent the ball into the back of the net for his brace.
In the 83rd minute, a pass into the box found Karim Konate unmarked. He carefully placed a shot towards the middle of the goal, but a brilliant last-ditch save by Jesus Owono denied him.
Two minutes to the end of the match, Equatorial Guinea made it 4-0. Jannick Buyla was in the right place at the right time to get to the rebound inside the box and gleefully rifled the ball low inside the left post.
The Guineans topped Group A with seven points on goal difference while Nigeria came second with seven points.