Emilio Nsue etched his name into the Africa Cup of Nations history books on Thursday, delivering an outstanding performance that secured a thrilling 4-2 victory for Equatorial Guinea over Guinea-Bissau.
Nsue’s remarkable feat marked the first hat-trick in the AFCON since 2008, elevating him to a special place in the tournament’s legacy.
The match unfolded at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium, where Nsue dazzled the sparse crowd with a masterful display.
The Equatorial Guinea captain’s goals came at pivotal moments, showcasing his experience and leadership on the field.
Nsue, born in Mallorca, began his football journey at Real Mallorca, amassing over 100 appearances in La Liga.
A notable figure in Spanish football, he was part of the U-21 Spain squad that clinched the European Championship in 2011, sharing the pitch with stars like David de Gea and Juan Mata.
Despite his early success in Spanish football, Nsue opted to represent Equatorial Guinea, his father’s homeland, leading them to the AFCON semi-finals in 2015. His versatile playing style, having previously excelled as a full-back, central defender, and winger, now sees him thriving as a striker for Alicante-based Intercity in Spain’s third tier.
Reflecting on his historic hat-trick, Nsue expressed joy, saying, “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.”
With Equatorial Guinea securing four points in Group A after holding Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in their opener, Nsue’s goals have positioned his team favorably for advancement to the last 16.
The Nzalang Nacional, aiming to replicate their quarter-final run from two years ago, stand as strong contenders.
As Equatorial Guinea eyes further success in the tournament, Nsue remains focused on contributing more goals and, ambitiously, contending for the coveted top scorer title.
He concluded, “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.” Emilio Nsue’s remarkable journey and historic achievement have added a new chapter to AFCON’s rich tapestry.
