Equatorial Guinea have qualified to the round of 16 after beating hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 in a Group A encounter played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Monday.

Having lost their previous encounter against Nigeria, the hosts were looking for a reaction and make their own destiny.

However, Equatorial Guinea had other ideas of their own as they wanted to control their own fate as well.

The Nazalang Nacional were in thunderous mood and went ahead 3 minutes before the interval. And it was that man again, Emilio Nsue scoring to get his 4th goal of the tournament.

The home crowd went into a sudden hush as Equatorial Guinea went into half time on top.

Ivory Coast had two goals chocked off for offside. First it was Ibrahim Sangare and the other from Jeane-Philippe Krasso much to the frustration of the home crowd.

© (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)

Pablo Garnet doubled the lead for Equatorial Guinea with a stunning free kick in the 73rd minute.

Things went from bad to worse for the Elephants as Nsue added another to make it 5 goals for him in the competition.

Jannick Bulya Sam sealed the victory in the 88th minute to round off a fantastic performance and a hand miserable day to the host nation.

With the victory Equatorial Guinea win the Group with 7 points while Nigeria come in second also on 7 points with an inferior goal difference.

Côte d’Ivoire are on three points and will now hope to sneak in through the third best placed teams.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer