Equatorial Guinea on Monday pulled off one of the most stunning results in Africa Cup of Nations history, thrashing hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 to win Group A and secure a last-16 place.
They were joined in the knockout phase by Nigeria, surprise Group B table-toppers Cape Verde and record seven-time champions Egypt.
Nigeria beat Guinea-Bissau 1-0 to finish runners-up behind Equatorial Guinea and a dramatic 2-2 draw between Cape Verde and Egypt took both through.
Photo: AFP
Ghana conceded two goals in added time to only draw 2-2 with Mozambique and, with only two points, might not be among the four best third-placed teams that also qualify.
Ranked 39 places lower than their rivals in the world, Equatorial Guinea ripped the Ivorian defense apart in the second half after leading 1-0 at half-time.
Emilio Nsue took his goals tally to five with a brace and Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla also netted for a nation which often boxes above its weight in the tournament, first held in 1957.
“We knew that our opponents were under pressure and we took that into account when putting our strategy in place,” Equatorial Guinea coach Juan Micha said.
“With humility, we are making an effort to reach as far as possible,” Micha said. “We are working to reach the level of the big guys.”
“I don’t think it’s because of our state of mind, when I see the players in the dressing room crying, it hurts me,” Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset said. “We tried, we gave everything I think. When you have a scenario like that, bordering on a nightmare, there’s not much you can say or do.”
Equatorial Guinea also make extensive use of the rule that allows soccer players with a parent or grandparent born in the central African nation to represent it.
Seventeen of the 27-man squad were born in Spain, including Nsue, whose professional career includes stints in Spain, England and Cyprus, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In three previous appearances, including one as hosts and one as cohosts with Gabon, Equatorial Guinea have reached the semi-finals once and quarter-finals twice.
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