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.
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.
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"We knew the speed of their attackers. We did everything we could to cut off their passing lines and it worked. But once again, I am satisfied with my team but not with the result."
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.
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The Taifa Stars have now gone seven matches across three AFCON campaigns without victory.
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.
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"We are bringing in a talented player who is fast, technically skilled and unpredictable with a wide range of feints and tricks," Horsens Technical Director Kristian Nielson said.
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.