AFCON 2023: Record-breaker Emilio Nsue inflicts pain onto African Wild Dogs

Emilio Nsue inflicts pain onto African Wild Dogs |COURTESY

AFCON 2023: Record-breaker Emilio Nsue inflicts pain onto African Wild Dogs

Allan Damba • 17:30 - 18.01.2024

Nsue's heroics made him the oldest player to score three goals in a single game in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.

A stunning Emilio Nsue hat-trick helped Equatorial Guinea register victory over Guinea-Bissau in an emphatic 4-2 success at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé on Thursday.

Nsue's heroics made him the oldest player to score three goals in a single game in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Equatorial Guinea's hero Emilio Nsue celebrates one of his goals.
Equatorial Guinea's hero Emilio Nsue celebrates one of his goals. (Photo Credit: CAF/X)

It also made it the first AFCON hat-trick in 15 years, and definitely the maiden in this edition.

On the day, in the 21st minute, a lapse in concentration from Janio Bikel allowed Nsue through, and he converted with an expertly-taken one-on-one finish to make it 1-0 for Equatorial Guinea.

Guinea-Bissau thought they had turned the game on its head, as a 37th-minute own goal from Esteban Orozco brought the African Wild Dogs back to a level playing field.

A minute into the second half, Josete Miranda sublimely volleyed Equatorial Guinea back ahead.

Five minutes later, Nsue slotted home his second goal from the back post courtesy of Basilio Ndong’s delicious delivery into the danger zone.

Nsue then rounded off the goalkeeper for his hat-trick at the hour-mark, to seal three priceless points.

Zé Turbo fired in a late consolation deep in second-half stoppage-time for Guinea-Bissau, but it ultimately had no impact on the contrast of emotions at full-time.

Victory for Equatorial Guinea provisionally lifts them above their next opponents, Ivory Coast, to the top of Group A with four points.

Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau now have it all to do if they want to qualify for the knockout stages, as even a victory in their last group game might ultimately end up not being enough. They take on Nigeria on January 22.