AFRICA Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts Cote d’Ivoire suffered a heavy blow as they were defeated 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea, who secured their place in the next round as Group leaders.
The loss leaves the Elephants in third place in Group A, trailing behind Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, with only three points.
Their hopes of advancing as one of the best four third-placed teams in their respective groups appear very slim.
Emilio Nsue, the top scorer of the Nations Cup, found the net twice in the 42nd and 76th minutes, increasing his goal tally in the competition.
Pablo Ganet added a third goal in the 73rd minute, and Jannick Buyla completed the rout with a goal in the final two minutes, sealing a nightmarish outcome for the Elephants.
Meanwhile, Nigeria secured their place in the round of 16 after a 1-0 victory over Guinea Bissau as both teams concluded their group-stage campaign.
Guinea’s defender, Opa Sangate, inadvertently scored an own goal in the 37th minute, to score the only goal of the match.
The Super Eagles advanced to the next round as Group A runners-up, trailing leaders Equatorial Guinea, who also secured a stunning 4-0 win over hosts Cote d’Ivoire on the same day.
Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea both finished with seven points, but the latter topped the group due to their superior goal-difference record.
Eighteen-Eleven Media