Equatorial Guinea bring hosts Ivory Coast on verge of early exit at Africa Cup of Nations

By Can Erozden

Equatorial Guinea thrashed Ivory Coast 4-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group game on Monday, bringing the hosts on the verge of an early exit.

Emilio Nsue scored a double for Group A winners Equatorial Guinea.

In addition, Pablo Ganet scored from free-kick and Yannick Buyla added a late goal to bag the 4-0 win in Abidjan, causing a huge upset for Ivory Coast.

With 7 points in three matches, Equatorial Guinea qualified for the last 16.

Nigeria also have 7 points to secure the knockout stage.

One of the major teams in Africa and former AFCON champions, third-place Ivory Coast have 3 points in the group after they lose their final group game.

Ivory Coast are now relying on other results in the groups to avoid group-stage elimination.

Guinea-Bissau lost all their three games to be eliminated from the tournament.

The AFCON includes six groups of four teams, with the top two nations in each group automatically advancing to the Round of 16.

In addition, the four highest ranked third-placed nations will join them in the first knockout stage.

On Monday, Egypt drew with Cape Verde 2-2 to qualify for the last 16 as both sides scored a goal in stoppage time.

Record holders Egypt secured a point against the Group B winners to finish the group stage second, which means the Pharaohs have reached the knockout phase.

Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was injured, and watched the match from the stands.

Cape Verde have 7 points, and winless Egypt have 3 points to be the group runners-up.

Ghana, one of the leading teams in Africa, finished the group in the third position with 2 points.

The Ghanaian national team were on a 2-0 lead against Mozambique on Monday but they conceded two stoppage-time goals, one from penalty.

Mozambique, who were eliminated, drew with Ghana 2-2.

But Ghana could still qualify as one of the best four third-placed teams, so they should wait for the other results.

Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, and Senegal secured the last 16 berths in the tournament.

The Round of 16 will begin on Saturday.