Ivory Coast vs Equatorial Guinea: VAR and Nsue masterclass leave hosts on the brink of AFCON 2023 exit

Equatorial Guinea's Emilio Nsue is the AFCON 2023 top scorer with 5 goals. (Photo Credit: Imago)

FOOTBALL Ivory Coast vs Equatorial Guinea: VAR and Nsue masterclass leave hosts on the brink of AFCON 2023 exit

Ivory Coast vs Equatorial Guinea: VAR and Nsue masterclass leave hosts on the brink of AFCON 2023 exit

Ayoola Kelechi • 20:18 - 22.01.2024

Equatorial Guinea pulled off a shock for the ages by defeating AFCON 2023 hosts in the final group game of Group A to leave the Elephants with three feet out of the tournament

In a fight of Elephants, Equatorial Guinea pulled off a monumental shock in the final match of the Africa Cup of Nations Group Stage after defeating hosts Ivory Coast 4-0.

Equatorial Guinea shock AFCON hosts

Ivory Coast needed at least a point to give themselves a fighting chance of reaching the next round, but Equatorial Guinea turned up to the match intent on spoiling the home side’s party.

The fans at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium were forced to watch as the Ivorian players were thoroughly dominated by their opponents in a disastrous loss.

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AFCON top scorer Emilio Nsue scored a super brace and was joined by Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla on the scoresheet as Equatorial Guinea stole the show in Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast on the brink of AFCON exit

Ivory Coast’s best chances to mount a comeback were hampered by VAR after two of the Elephant’s goals were ruled out at vital moments, allowing Equatorial Guinea to seal a historic win.

Equatorial Guinea leave Ivory Coast on the brink of first round exit | Imago
Equatorial Guinea leave Ivory Coast on the brink of first round exit | Imago

The loss for the hosts leaves Ivory Coast third in a group that they were expected to top, with only three points and -3 goal difference.

The Elephants' position leaves them with a marginal chance of reaching the second round, with the hosts now banking on other third-place teams doing worse than they did.

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Equatorial Guinea on the other hand top the group with seven points from three games and pull off the biggest shock in the 2023 AFCON so far.

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Ivory Coast Equatorial Guinea Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2023