Emilio Nsue scores first AFCON hat-trick in 16 years as E’Guinea defeat Guinea-Bissau

Emilio Nsue scored three goals as Equatorial Guinea defeated Guinea-Bissau 4-2 in their second game of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

Nsue scored the game’s first goal in the first half before adding two more in the second half to net the first hat trick in the competition since 2008.

Soufiane Alloudi scored the last hattrick at AFCON in Morocco’s 5-1 thrashing of Namibia 16 years ago.

The 34-year-old Nsue also became the oldest player to score three goals in a match in the competition.

The Equatoguineans were dominant against the Bissau-Guineans in the match in front of a scanty crowd at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé, Abidjan, on Thursday.

First TotalEnergies AFCON hattrick since 2008 ✅
First TotalEnergies AFCON hattrick in Equatorial Guinea's history ✅
Oldest player to ever score a TotalEnergies AFCON hattrick ✅

Ladies and gentlemen, Emilio Nsue López. 🎩🇬🇶#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/sjFNlZxexh

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— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2024

An own goal from Esteban Orozco at around the half-hour mark pulled Guniea-Bissau level after Nsue had put the National Thunder ahead, but Josete Miranda’s strike restored Equatorial Guinea’s lead early in the second half.

The substitute Ze Turbo then scored a consolation for the Bissau-Guineans deep in the stoppage time.

The victory takes Equatorial Guinea to the top of Group A with four points following their 1-1 draw against Nigeria in their game.

They await the result of the second match of the group between the Super Eagles and Ivory Coast.

The National Thunder will face Ivory Coast in their final group game on January 22.