Equatorial Guinea’s captain, Emilio Nsue, etched his name into AFCON history by securing a milestone hat-trick during the Nzalang Nacional’s 4-2 victory over Guinea Bissau.
Nsue’s goal-scoring spree commenced in the first half of the match, setting the stage for Equatorial Guinea’s dominance with a goal in the 21st minute. Playing for Alicante-based Intercity in the Spanish third tier has evidently not hindered Nsue’s performance, as he displayed exceptional quality to score two more goals within the initial 15 minutes of the second half, completing a remarkable hat-trick.
With his three strikes against Guinea Bissau, Emilio Nsue accomplished a remarkable feat by securing the first hat-trick in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) since 2008 when Soufiane Alloudi scored a treble against Namibia.
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Aside from being the inaugural player to achieve a hat-trick at AFCON in 15 years, Nsue also made history as the oldest player to score three goals in a single match at the age of 34 years and 110 days. This remarkable feat played a crucial role in securing all three points for his team against Guinea Bissau.
Securing this victory positions Equatorial Guinea strongly within their group, significantly improving their prospects of advancing further in the tournament. Nsue’s stellar performance not only underscores his individual talent but also signals the increasing prominence of Equatorial Guinea in the realm of African football.
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Who is Emilio Nsue?
Emilio Nsue López, born on September 30, 1989, is a professional footballer currently playing for Primera Federación club CF Intercity. While born in Spain, he serves as the captain of the Equatorial Guinea national team. Renowned for his versatility, Nsue primarily operates as a right-back but also possesses the capability to play as a winger.
Nsue initiated his career at Mallorca, amassing 153 appearances in various competitions and participating in four La Liga seasons. He had loan spells with Real Sociedad and Castellón. In 2014, he joined English club Middlesbrough and played a pivotal role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2016. Nsue later signed with Birmingham City in January 2017, followed by a move to Cypriot football, where he spent 18 months with APOEL, a season with Apollon Limassol, and another season with APOEL. After a six-month hiatus without a club, he joined Bosnian Premier League club Tuzla City in 2022.
Born in Spain to an Equatoguinean father and a Spanish mother, Nsue was eligible to represent both nations at the international level. Initially playing for Spain at youth levels, he secured European championships at under-19 level in 2007 and under-21 level in 2011. In 2013, Nsue made his senior international debut for Equatorial Guinea, his father’s country, and in 2015, he represented the nation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
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Nsue created history during the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 in Cote D’Ivoire, becoming the oldest player at 34 years to score a hat-trick in the tournament. This noteworthy achievement took place in a 4-2 victory against Guinea Bissau, marking the first hat-trick in the tournament in 15 years.Top of Form