Veteran striker, Emilio Nsue, scored the first hat-trick of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament as Equatorial Guinea beat Guinea-Bissau 4-2 to close in on a place in the last 16.
Nsue slotted in the first-half opener and struck twice after the break to record the first AFCON hat-trick since 2008 at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast on Thursday.
The result takes Equatorial Guinea, who held Nigeria 1-1 in their opening game, to four points in Group A, pending the outcome of the heavyweight clash between hosts Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria later on Thursday evening.
On the other hand, Guinea Bissau remains at the bottom of the group, having failed to secure any points after losing both of their matches in the continental tournament.
Esteban Orozco’s own goal sent the sides in level at half-time but Josete Miranda’s strike restored Equatorial Guinea’s lead early in the second half.
Guinea-Bissau, chasing a first ever AFCON win in their 11th match at the tournament, were awarded a penalty moments under a Saul Coco challenge. But with Mama Balde ready to take the kick, the Rwandan referee came across to review the images and eventually overturned his decision.
Josete Miranda restored Equatorial Guinea’s lead two minutes after the restart, the assist coming from a long kick downfield by goalkeeper Jesus Owono.
Nsue then took centre stage, converting a cross from the left flank on 51 minutes and then rounding the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick just after the hour mark.
The goal was eventually given after initially being ruled out for offside, with Ze Turbo pulling another one back for Guinea-Bissau late on.
Ze Turbo netted a consolation for Guinea-Bissau in stoppage time.
