Guinea then the struck deep into stoppage time, as Bayo headed home at the near post to score his second goal, and only Guinea’s third of the entire tournament.
After a tight 98 minutes, Guinea snatched a late winner at the expense of Equatorial Guinea to progress to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the Alessane Quattara Stadium on Sunday.
Mohamed Bayo netted at the death to send Guinea into wild celebrations and heartbreak for their opponents.
The first half produced very few chances, with neither side registering a shot on target. Guinea squandered the game’s opening opportunity inside three minutes, as Mohamed Bayo struck the side-netting from an acute angle.
Saúl Coco then hit the wall from a free-kick for Equatorial Guinea before group stage goalscorer Aguibou Camara found himself tackled well by Basilio Ndong as he charged up the other end.
AFCON’s top scorer, Emilio Nsue, had a chance early after halftime to net his sixth goal of the tournament. In space in the box, he chested the ball down well but was uncharacteristically off-target with his volley.
A few minutes later, Guinea had the ball in the net as Mory Konaté headed in from a free-kick, only to be chopped off for offside.
12:13 - 28.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Sebastien Desabre breathing confidence, raring to guide DR Congo past Salah-less Egypt
"The group phase is over, and we're now going to take part in another competition with different rules, in which there's no room for the loser."
The second stanza was far more lively, and a major turning point saw Federico Bikoro shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Bayo, leaving Equatorial Guinea to play over 35 minutes with 10 men.
Equatorial Guinea were then awarded a penalty after Iván Salvador was clipped in the box, which Nsue struck on the post.
13:31 - 28.01.2024
AFCON 2023: A million dollar richer, Equatorial Guinea battles Guinea on another day of ferocious action
The team was also hailed by captain Emilio Nsue (topscorer with five goals) as “one of the strongest in Africa” despite not “having any superstars."
Guinea then the struck deep into stoppage time, as Bayo headed home at the near post to score his second goal, and only Guinea’s third of the entire tournament.
They will now face the victors between Democratic Republic of Congo and record champions Egypt.