Introduction
The first match in the 3rd round of this year’s AFCON will be between the group’s dark horse, Equatorial Guinea, and the host, Ivory Coast. Group A has witnessed Equatorial Guinea defy all odds by leading the group.
They first held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in their opening game and then dominated Guinea-Bissau with an impressive 4-2 win during their second matchday encounter. Despite a promising commencement to the tournament, The Elephants experienced a setback with a 0-1 loss to Nigeria.
About the game
Emilio Nsue’s remarkable hat-trick led Equatorial Guinea to a 4-2 victory over Guinea-Bissau in Group A in the 2nd round of their AFCON games. This win positions Equatorial Guinea favourably for the knockout stage, following their earlier 1-1 draw against Nigeria. Nsue initially opened the scoring, but Guinea-Bissau levelled with an own goal. Despite a VAR decision denying Guinea-Bissau a penalty, Nsue secured his hat-trick, sealing the triumph. Ze Turbo scored a late goal for Guinea-Bissau, which was a consolation. Nsue’s hat-trick marks the first at the tournament since 2008.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast tried all they could to get good results in their encounter with Nigeria but couldn’t break the defence of the Super Eagles. The host had 14 shots in the game, with three on target, but Nigeria stood firm. The match seemed destined for a draw, but it took a penalty from the Eagle’s captain, Ekong, to change the game’s direction. The penalty was awarded after Ousmane Diomande kicked the leg of African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, in his own box.
The Best Betting Odds for Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast
| Markets | Odds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equatorial Guinea win |
10.50 
|
11.75 
|
10.00 
|
10.00 
|
10.50 
|
|
| Draw |
4.25
|
4.30
|
4.60
|
4.14
|
4.14
|
|
| Ivory Coast win |
1.38
|
1.37
|
1.39
|
1.39
|
1.40
|
|
| Over 1.5 |
1.39
|
1.45
|
1.44
|
1.40
|
1.40
|
|
| Over 1.5 |
1.39
|
1.45
|
1.44
|
1.40
|
1.40
|
|
| Over 1.5 |
1.39
|
1.45
|
1.44
|
1.40
|
1.40
|
|
Conclusion
The Ivorians now face an uphill task to secure their passage into the round of 16. They would face a more resilient Equatorial Guinea currently leading the group and will strive for qualification.
Samuel Okunsolawo is an iGaming expert with over six years of experience in content writing. His passion for simplifying complex concepts makes his articles accessible and useful for beginners and experts alike. With a focus on sports betting trends and reliable betting sites, Samuel’s articles are an excellent resource for those seeking guidance and staying up to date in the world of iGaming.