Sierra Leone lost their final Group E match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium on Thursday night.
The Leone Stars were desperate for a win as they had three points ahead of this one and their mission was to join Ivory Coast in the knockout rounds.
On the other hand, the Equatorial Guineans were in search of a win to qualify to the knockout stages of the competition.
Equatorial Guinea dominated proceedings in the early exchanges, although they failed to create any clear cut openings, while Sierra Leone were restricted to efforts from range.
Sierra Leone should have been ahead in the 18th minute after Musa Camara pounced on a loose ball in the box but his strike sailed inches wide of the bottom corner.
Equatorial Guinea eventually broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Pablo Ganet finished off a well-worked passing move with a low effort from the edge of the area.
Sierra Leone nearly hit back in the 42nd minute when Kei Kamara’s long range effort forced Ovono into a fine low save.
John Keister’s were chasing shadows for large parts of the half and it seemed to frustrate them, as two Sierra Leone players picked up a booking in the first half.
José Machín nearly doubled Equatorial Guinea lead with his first touch in the 49th minute but the striker fired horribly wide from close range.
Iban Salvador was presented with another chance to extend the Nzalang Nacional’s advantage in the 78th minute but his acrobatic effort sailed well wide of the target.
Leone Stars were provided with a chance to level the matters on the 84th minute but veteran striker Kei Kamara had his penalty saved by Ovono.
Sierra Leone were then reduced to ten men in the closing stages, as Mohamed Buya Turay was shown a second yellow card for bad foul.
Leone Stars managed to see out the last minute with ten men and have now been eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations while Equatorial Guinea has booked a date in the knockout stages.
Here’s how they lined up:
Sierra Leone: Mohamed Nbalie Kamara; U. Bangura, Steven Caulker, K. Wright (Kallon 75), O. Kakay, J. Kamara, K. Quee, A. Dumbuya (Buya Turay 46), K. Kamara, M. Bundu (Kamara 53), Musa Noah Kamara
Equatorial Guinea: Jesús Owono; Carlos Akapo, Esteban Obiang, Basilio Ndong, Saúl Coco, Pablo Ganet, José Machín (Buyla Sam 64), Fréderico Bikoro (Nlavo 64), Iban Salvador, Josete Miranda (Belima 88), Dorian Hanza (Nsue 75)
