In a colossal upset that resonated through the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Equatorial Guinea, delivered a stunning blow to the host nation Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations Group A clash. Nzalang Nacional/ The National Thunder, led by Emilio Nsue’s double, Pablo Ganet’s sensational free-kick, and Jannick Buyla’s late goal, secured an emphatic 4-0 victory that not only humiliated the Elephants but also solidified their top spot in the group.
Equatorial Guinea’s dominance manifested in a series of remarkable goals, commencing with Emilio Nsue breaking the deadlock in the 40th minute. The momentum escalated when Pablo Ganet unleashed a powerful long-range free-kick, leaving the Ivory Coast goalkeeper helpless as the ball found the back of the net for the second goal.
Emilio Nsue, not content with just one, added to the Elephants’ misery by securing his second goal of the night. The coup de grâce came from Jannick Buyla, who rifled a precise shot inside the left post, cementing a formidable 4-0 lead that proved insurmountable.
As the final whistle echoed across the stadium, Nzalang Nacional held on to their spectacular 4-0 scoreline, not only sending the Ivory Coast teetering towards the exit door but also clinching the top spot in Group A. The host nation, Ivory Coast, now faces the precarious prospect of relying on other match results to avoid a shocking group-stage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite Ibrahim Sangare’s efforts, including two equalizers that were ruled out, the Ivorian Elephants struggled to convert numerous chances into goals, ultimately paying the price for their profligacy in the face of Equatorial Guinea’s clinical finishing.
The magnitude of this upset reverberated through the stadium, as some Ivorian players were visibly moved to tears at the final whistle. The home crowd, initially expectant of a routine victory, transformed into a chorus of boos, expressing their displeasure at one of the most unexpected outcomes in AFCON history.
