Despite putting up a gutsy performance, Equatorial Guinea succumbed to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Ivory Coast in their 2021 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Group E match at Japoma Stadium in Cameroon on Wednesday evening.
Max-Alain Gradel early goal in the fifth minute is all that the Elephants needed to see off the Nzalang Nacional.
The Group E encounter got off to a bright start as Equatorial Guinea surged forward and José Machín tried a through ball to Emilio Nsue who was caught offside on the third minute.
Two minutes later, Equatorial Guinea were punished when they gave the ball back near the box and Gradel struck with a perfectly executed shot into the top right corner.
Equatorial Guinea were presented with a chance to level the scoring in the 20th minute but Emilio Nsue failed to direct his header on target from close range.
The tempo of game died down as the half went on, but the Elephants should have added the second just before the halftime break but Sebastien Haller dragged his effort wide of the mark with only Manuel Sapunga to beat.
The score remained 1-0 to the Elephants at the halftime break.
Badra Ali came to Ivory Coast rescue in the 58th minute, as the goalkeeper rushed off his line to deny Pablo Ganet on the edge of the box.
Chances were hard to come thereafter, as the first real opening arrived in the 76th minute when Eric Bailly was played through on goal by Franck Kessie, but the forward fired a tame effort at Sapunga.
Equatorial Guinea should have scored an equalizer in the 87th minute but defender Ivan Salvador managed to place his effort over the crossbar from three-yards out.
How they lined up:
Equatorial Guinea Starting XI: Manuel Sapunga – Carlos Akapo, Obian O. Esteban, Saul Coco, Basillo Nchama – Jannick Buyla Sam, Jose Machin, Pablo Ganet, Iban Salvador – Emilio Nsue, Dorian Hanza.
Cote d’Ivoire Starting XI: Badra A. Sangare – Habib Maiga, Simon Deli, Eric Bailly, Konan – Jean Michael Seri, Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare – Maxwell Cornet, Sebastien Haller, Max-Alain Gradel.
