Guinea s midfielder #11 Mohamed Bayo celebrates scoring his team s first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, on January 28, 2024. AFP
The game was heading for extra time when Ibrahim Diakité crossed for Boya to finally break the deadlock with a header inside the near post.
It was effectively the last play of the game, which left the exhausted Equatoguinean players slumped on the field. A majority of the 36,340 fans in attendance celebrated, mindful of Equatorial Guinea’s 4-0 win over host nation Ivory Coast in the previous match – a result that almost knocked the hosts out.
Tournament top scorer Emilio Nsue missed a penalty in the 69th minute when his spot kick struck the right post. It maintained the game’s zero shots on target up to that point.
The penalty was awarded through VAR for a foul by Guinea defender Sekou Sylla on Iban Salvador.
Equatorial Guinea defender Federico Bikoro was shown a straight red card in the 55th for kicking Bayo while attempting a clearance.
Guinea will next face seven-time champion Egypt or Congo, which played their round-of-16 game later Sunday in San Pedro. Both teams are looking for their first win after drawing all their group games.
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