The last time a player scored a hat-trick in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match was almost 16 years ago, when Morocco’s Soufiane Alloudi scored three against Namibia in a 5-1 victory in January 2008 AFCON which was hosted by Ghana.
Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue has broken that record today by scoring the first hat-trick of the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire. At 34, he is also the oldest player to score a hat-trick in AFCON history.
Nsue’s goals coming in the 21st, 51st and 61st minutes ensured Equatorial Guinea recorded a handsome 4-2 win over Guinea-Bissau in their Group A match played at the at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
An own goal by Orozco Fernandez and a late strike by Guinea Bissau’s player, Ze Turbo, was scant consolation for the latter.
After two matches, Equatorial Guinea now top Group A with four points, one and three points ahead of Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria respectively. The Ivorians will play the Super Eagles in their second next match.
With Nsue’s latest feat, a total of 18 hat-trick have now been scored in AFCON history.
