Seeking to become the third nation to secure their participation in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea went face-to-face on Sunday evening.
EQG: Owono; Ndong, Coco, Orozco, Kapo; Buyla, Ganet, Bikoro, Salvador; Dicombo; Nsue
GUI: Koné; I Sylla, Jeanvier, Diakhaby, Diakité; S Sylla, Diawara, Konaté, Guilavogui; Camara, Bayo
With a place in the quarterfinals in Abidjan at stake, Equatorial Guinea looked to be the brighter side throughout much of the first half – with Emilio Nsue coming close to opening the scoring from a penalty after Iban Salvador was felled by Sekou Sylla.
But their dominance would come to an end just ten minutes into the second half, as Federico Bikoro was shown a red card after clipping Mohamed Bayo with his studs. The midfielder’s withdrawal left a gaping hole in the heart of the Equatorial Guinea side, though Guinea failed to capitalise immediately.
With the match seemingly headed for extra time, Bayo arrived in the box to nod Ibrahim Diakité’s cross past Jesús Owono – with the 98th minute strike enough to seal progression to the quarterfinals for Guinea.
Embed from Getty ImagesGuinea now join Nigeria and Angola in the quarterfinals, with their next match kicking off at 8pm on Friday in Abidjan.
