Equatorial Guinea humiliate Cote d'Ivoire to reach last-16 with Nigeria

Equatorial Guinea swept into the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night and showed the hosts the exit door to their own football party with a 4-0 annihilation at the Alassane Outtara Stadium. Nigeria joined them in the knockout stages with a more prosaic 1-0 victory over Guinea Bissau.

Equatorial Guinea striker Emilio Nsue scored twice in his side's 4-0 rout of hosts Cote d'Ivoire which gave them top spot in Group A and a place in the last-16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. AP - Sunday Alamba

Emilio Nsue bagged a brace in the rout of the Ivorians before a full house at the 200 million euro stadium built to honour the country's president and serve as a glittering showpiece in an intended Olympic park

But the would-be temple to the country's greatness turned into a slaughter house.

Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla also feasted on Ivorian frailties.

Equatorial Guinea, who drew with Nigeria in their opening game on 14 January before a 4-2 sweep past Guinea Bissau four days later, went into the game needing a draw to advance.

Nsue hit his first just before half-time. Mid way through the second period the hosts believed they had levelled. But the video assistants ruled out Jean-Philippe Krasso's strike.

Ganet and Nsue struck twice in the 73rd and 75th minute to take the game away frm the increasingly bedraggled hosts before the gloss was added in the closing stages.

Wait

With three points, Cote d'Ivoire must wait until the end of the final round of games to see whether the tally can take them into the second phase as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Equatorial Guinea's romp gave them Group A with seven points ahead of Nigeria who beat Guinea Bissau 1-0 at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

Opa Sangante put through his own net after 36 minutes. Nigeria's feted forward line botched several chances to extend their lead.

Jose Peseiro's men will play the runners-up from Group C for a place in the last eight.

"Our defensive process was good," the Portuguese said. "We had safety and control of the game. We scored one goal and we didn't let any in. If we do that we can go all the way to the final and more."