Cote d'Ivoire 0-1 Nigeria
Nigeria boosted their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating hosts Cote d'Ivoire 1-0 at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.
The Elephants were boosted by the return of Serge Aurier, who skippered the side while the Super Eagles recalled Samuel Chukwueze.
The game got off to a frantic start as Victor Osimhen came close to giving Nigeria the lead in the first nine minutes and moments later goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a great save to deny Christian Kouame.
However, chances were few and far between as the half progressed and the sides went to the interval deadlocked.
William Troost-Ekong eventually broke the deadlock for Jose Peseiro's charges early in the second stanza with a blasting shot from the spot which was awarded via a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after Osimhen was kicked in the box.
The Elephants were fired up after that but could not break down a strong Nigeria defence.
Cote d'Ivoire lost a group game at Afcon for the first time since 2012, as they were overtaken by the Super Eagles by one point, who clocked four points, equal with Equatorial Guinea.
Equatorial Guinea 4-2 Guinea-Bissau
Equatorial Guinea got their first victory in Group A after a resounding 4-2 win over Guinea-Bissau courtesy of a hat-trick by Emilio Nsue at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.
Nsue broke the deadlock for Equatorial Guinea on 21 minutes after a great pass from Pablo Ganet but Guinea-Bissau found the equaliser eight minutes before the break thanks to an own goal by Esteban Orozco, who could not successfully clear a cross.
The Djurtus had a penalty, initially given, shortly after that overturned by the referee after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
Josete Miranda eventually restored the lead for Nzalang Nacional just from the break with a volley from the edge of the box.
Nsue quickly made it 3-1 for Equatorial Guinea and completed his brace after a cross by Basilio Ndong.
Nsue put the game to bed for EQG around the hour-mark and completed his hat-trick with a strike that was initially disallowed for offside but awarded following a VAR review.
Ze Turbo scored what proved to be a second consolation goal for Guinea-Bissau in stoppage time.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments
