Previously, fans of Equatorial Guinea gave the tournament newcomer and lowest-ranked team little hope of winning a match.

Then it stunned Libya in the cup opener on Saturday.

Now, taxis are bedecked with flags, the red shirt of the national team is everywhere and the team’s nickname—Nzalang Nacional—is on everybody’s lips.

Midfielder Juvenal Edjogo-Owono says “hard work and faith in (the team’s) chances” is the key to continued success.

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