2023 AFCON: Equatorial Guinea v Guinea preview

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Jan 27, 2024. 14:27

The third match in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations last 16 sees Equatorial Guinea take on Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

Date: Sunday, 28 January 2024

Kick-off: 19h00 CAT

Head-to-head: This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams on the international stage. The National Thunder featured at the tournament for the first time as co-hosts in 2012, while the National Elephants made their debut at the 1970 edition.

Equatorial Guinea’s last three results: Juan Micha’s side kicked off their 2023 AFCON campaign with a 1-1 draw against Nigeria on January 14 and they cruised to a 4-2 victory over Guinea-Bissau four days later before stunning hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 to clinch top spot in Group A ahead of the Super Eagles on goal difference after they both finished on seven points.

Guinea’s last three results: The West Africans reached the round of 16 for the third consecutive tournament as the best third-placed team after picking up four points from their three matches in Group C. Kaba Diawara’s side drew 1-1 with Cameroon on January 15 and edged Gambia 1-0 four days later to put themselves in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages. A 2-0 defeat to defending champions Senegal was still enough to see them through to the round of 16.

Team news: Micha has a clean bill of health and could go with the same team for the third game in succession. Both Naby Keita and Serhou Guirassy came through the clash with the Lions of Teranga unscathed after missing the opening two group matches through injury and the pair are expected to retain their places in Diawara’s starting line-up.

Key player – Equatorial Guinea: Emilio Nsue has stolen the show ahead of the more glamorous names of Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, bagging five goals to lead the scoring charts in the tournament. His hat-trick against the Djurtus saw the 34-year-old forward become the first player to score three times in one match since Soufiane Alloudi in the 2008 edition.

Key player – Guinea: The return to fitness of Serhou Guirassy will come as a massive boost to the National Elephants. The 27-year-old striker has been in red-hot form for Stuttgart this season, scoring 17 goals in just 14 appearances and he was sorely missed against the Indomitable Lions and the Scorpions.