Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea seal AFCON round 16 spots, as hosts continue nine-year deadlock

The Super Eagles and Equatorial Guinea have qualified for the AFCON round of 16 in Group A, with host Ivory Coast shown the exit door.

The Super Eagles picked a narrow 1-0 win against Guinea Bissau in their last group game on Monday, after series of missed opportunities that could have added to their tally.

Although it was an own goal from Bissau’s Opa Sangante, following a low cross from the ‘Man of the Match’ Moses Simon, it proved to be the match decider, giving Jose Peseiro’s men all three points to qualify.

Going into the game, Nigeria needed a draw or win to make it out of the group stage and succeeded.

Similarly, Equatorial Guinea pulled a surprising stroke on the hosts Ivory Coast, thumping them 4-0 in front of their home fans.

Emilio Nsue delivered a sensational brace, picking off from his hat-trick last Thursday, making him the top scorer of the tournament so far.

Pablo Ganet brilliant freekick and Jannick Buyla 88-minute strike sealed the clean sheet for the Nzalang Nacional, who also top Group A on goal difference.