EMILIO Nsue grabbed the first hat-trick of AFCON 2023 and the first in the Africa Cup of Nations since 2008 as Equatorial Guinea defeated Guinea-Bissau 4-2 in Abijdan today, just before under-fire Super Eagles of Nigeria face hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
With the victory, Equatorial Guinea, who had drawn their opening match 1-1 with the Super Eagles on Sunday, rose to the top of Group A, pending the result of this evening’s heavyweight clash as the Alassane Outtara Stadium.
The 34-year-old former Middlesbrough star Nsue, who now plays for CF Intercity in the Spanish third tier, netted in the 21st, 51st and 61st minutes (the third goal was initially ruled offside until VAR reviews corrected the error) to give Equatorial Guinea the three points.
The points could be enough to see them through to the round of 16 even if they lose their final group game to Cote d’Ivoire, as they could squeeze through as one of the best third-placed teams.
Equatorial Guinea are on top of the group with four points from two matches, with Cote d’Ivoire second having won their opening match against Guinea-Bissau on Saturday.
The Super Eagles are third with just one point and must avoid defeat this evening against the hosts, who know victory would confirm their place in the knockout rounds.
Guinea-Bissau, who are yet to ever secure an AFCON point, are bottom of the group and face the Super Eagles in their final group fixture on Monday.
