From our special correspondent in Abidjan – A hat-trick from captain Emilio Nsué and Equatorial Guinea can already see themselves in the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations. Nzalang largely defeated Guinea-Bissau on Thursday (4-2) at the Ébimpé stadium and takes the lead in Group A, before Ivory Coast – Nigeria.
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Edition after edition, Equatorial Guinea continues to confirm that it is no longer a surprise in the CAN. The national Nzalang quietly disposed of Guinea-Bissau, thanks in particular to a hat-trick from its captain Emilio Nsue (4-2). A big victory which allows it to take control of group A of CAN 2024, while waiting for Ivory Coast – Nigeria, and to take a big step towards qualification.
For the first match of the second day of the group stage, the stands of the Ébimpé stadium remain desperately empty. Only a few groups of Equatoguinean supporters brave the heat to encourage their team. A void which can be explained both by the ticketing problems encountered by the organizing committee and CAF, but also because the second match of the day, in the same venue, concerns Côte d’Ivoire. The human tide will therefore wait.
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On the pitch, the players play in unbearable heat. The feeling is forecast to be over 30°C. A fact which logically impacts the game while the first minutes resemble a long round of observation, with a midfield battle without rhythm.
Equatorial Guinea bides its time, enduring the first skirmishes of the Lusophones. His first shot waited until the quarter of an hour into the game, even if Miranda’s right-footed shot, at the edge of the area, was easily caught by Djoco (15th).
The trigger? A few minutes later, the emblematic captain Emilio Nsué launches into a through ball and takes advantage of a missed intervention from Sori Mané. He won his duel against Djoco and gave his team the advantage (22nd, 1-0). Miranda almost doubles the lead, but finds the crossbar (26th).
A deserved equalizer then a penalty refused
The refreshment break comes at the right time for the 22 actors, who stick out their tongues and struggle to exert high-intensity pressing. The break restores strength to Guinea-Bissau, which obtains in quick succession a good free kick (36th), their first clear opportunity by Mama Baldé (37th) and above all an equalizer thanks to an own goal from Obiang (38th). , 1-1), first attributed to Franculino Dju.
After half-time, Guinea-Bissau even obtained a penalty, whistled just after the kick-off, while the referee criticized Saul Coco for having mowed down the near-scorer in the area. Analysis of the images, however, reveals that the intervention of the Las Palmas defender was perfect (40th), and the penalty is canceled.
Double from Nsue
After a quarter of an hour in the locker room air conditioning, the Nzalang hits hard. On a clearance from the goalkeeper, the Lycaons defense completely failed. Miranda just has to pick up the ball and hit hard (46th, 2-1). He is also at the origin of the third goal, an overflow on the left and a powerful cross which Djoco cannot intercept, and which Emilio Nsue is responsible for sending into the back of the net (51st, 3-1) .
Guinea-Bissau is no longer there and Equatorial Guinea benefits. Launched behind the defense, Nsue dribbles past the goalkeeper and scores. The joy of a hat-trick was initially denied to him due to an offside signaled by the referee, but the VAR finally made him celebrate the first hat-trick of the competition late (63rd, 4-1) .
Guinea-Bissau has a last burst when Saul Coco loses the ball in the position of last defender. Tchami recovers but loses his face-to-face with Owono by trying to put the ball between his legs (70th). The rest of the match is anecdotal, like José Correria’s late goal in added time (4-2, 90th+2). After eight long minutes of stoppage time, the Equatoguinean stand finally let out its joy.
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Equatorial Guinea sits at the top of Group A and, barring an improbable scenario, will once again see the round of 16 of the African Cup. A temporary position which could also last in the event of a draw between Ivory Coast and Nigeria a little later in the day.