Emilio Nsue scored a hat-trick as Equatorial Guinea beat Guinea-Bissau 4-2 in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations group stages at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.

In front of a small crowd at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium, Nsue opened the score halfway through the first half. In an incredible display, he added two more goals in the second half.

Equatorial Guinea, who defeated Nigeria 1–1 in their first meeting, now has four points in Group A, which also includes the host Ivory Coast.

In an attempt to repeat their run to the quarterfinals from two years ago, the Nzalang Nacional (National Thunder) are well-positioned to advance as the top four third-placed teams advance to the last 16.

The 34-year-old captain Nsue is the first player to score three goals in a single Cup of Nations match since Morocco’s Soufiane Alloudi did so in a 5-1 victory over Namibia in Ghana in 2008.

“I feel very happy. I knew this could be one of my last Africa Cups. This is my third, so I came here mentally very strong, I trusted in myself, and I am playing very well,” Nsue said.

“I know I have the quality to do a good job. I just want to continue and score more goals, and I hope to be top scorer ahead of all the superstars who are here.”

Nsue, who was born in Mallorca, began her career at Real Mallorca and appeared in over 100 La Liga games for the team.

He played alongside players like David de Gea, Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara, and Juan Mata for Spain in the 2011 Under-21 Euro.

However, he eventually made the decision to play for his father’s nation, leading Equatorial Guinea to the 2015 AFCON semi-finals as the hosts.

After playing in the English Championship for Birmingham City and Middlesbrough, Nsue—who has frequently filled in at full back—now plays for Intercity, a third-tier Spanish team, based in Alicante.

“This year I play as a striker. Years ago I played at right-back, even as a central defender and winger, I played all the positions,” he said.

“But with the national team all my life I have played as a striker.”

He added: “One of the things I am very proud of is that I think this is the strongest group in all the Africa Cup, and I think we will go through in the top two, so I am very happy for that.”

Nsue gave Guinea-Bissau the lead in the 21st minute, but Esteban Orozco’s own goal, given pressure by Franculino Dju, tied the score in the 37th.

Moments after Dju was brought down by a challenge from Saul Coco, Guinea-Bissau—who was trying to win their 11th straight AFCON—were given a penalty kick.

However, as Mama Balde prepared to kick, the Rwandan referee arrived to examine the pictures and ultimately reversed his ruling.

Two minutes after the restart, Nsue took centre stage as Josete Miranda gave Equatorial Guinea their lead back.

Soon after the hour, he completed his hat-trick by circling the custodian after converting a cross from the left flank on minute 51.

Ze Turbo scored a late goal to give Guinea-Bissau the lead back after the initial goal was disallowed for offside.

Photo by Gavin Barker/BackpagePix