That’s it from me. Wow, after that dreadful first half I called for some entertainment and didn’t we get it!?
A straight red for a high boot. A VAR decision awarding a penalty which was missed. A goal disallowed. Some lunging tackles and desperate saves as the clock wound down and in the end, Mohamed Bayo, a 25-year-old most people around the world had never heard of, is the hero of the moment.
How good is football?
Catch you down the road.
Here’s the winner. Football at its most pure.
UNBELIEVABLE! 🤯
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 28, 2024
Mohamed Bayo wins it for Guinea in the 98th minute! 🇬🇳 pic.twitter.com/SzoY963Uxu
As you’d expect, Guinea are cock-a-hoop! White shirts whizz about as if caught in a washing machine. They’ve reached the quarterfinals for the third time in their history but have won a first ever knockout tie.
They’ll play the winners of Egypt and DR Congo, who are on later. Vast improvements will be needed if they have any hopes of getting into the las four. But such talk can wait. First and foremost, they’ll enjoy tonight.
Heartbreaking for Equatorial Guinea. Their players are sobbing on the pitch. Salvador is absolutely distraught. Coco hasn’t moved. Akapo has his shirt over his head as his shoulders heave. And what about Nsue? that missed penalty will haunt him forever.
Full-time: Guinea 1-0 Equatorial Guinea
It’s over! It wasn’t a classic. In fact, that first half was dreadful. But an eventful second period with a red card, a missed penalty and a disallowed goal meant it was a whole lotta fun until a last second winner secured Guinea’s passage to the last eight. What a competition!
I can’t believe it. I thought I’d be watching this match forever, as if stuck in purgatory. But Bayo’s sublime header has sealed it.
GOAL! Guinea 1-0 Equatorial Guinea (Bayo, 97)
They’ve done it! Finally, with what might be the last kick of the match, Guinea have won it! Well, I say kick, it was actually a header. A brilliant header. Diakite with a brilliant ball to the near post where Bayo found some space. He meets it at pace and expertly beats Owono. Men in white go nuts. Men in red are close to tears. What a dramatic finish!
Updated
90+6 min: The best move of the match as far as Guinea is concerned ends with Onowo pouncing on a cross from the right. The ball was worked with pace, a neat one-two set Sylla free and he got to the byline and then went looking for Guirassy who made a near post run. But the pass wouldn’t land with the keeper cleaning up.
90+4 min: Keita picks up the ball from deep and drives. He penetrates the first defensive line and gets near the box. His pass inside the area finds a spinning Bayo but it bobbles away from anyone in white before someone can swing their boot at it.
90+2 min: Guinea steal the ball in midfield and have a chance to launch a counter. Once again the final pass is poor. So no danger there.
They’ve looked devoid of any other idea apart from drive with the ball and hope it bounces favourably.
90 min: There’ll be eight minutes of added time. Is that enough for Guinea to find the winner? They’re on the attack now with Equatorial Guinea hoofing clearances away.
87 min: Another comfortable save for Owono. Tenacious from Kamano who managed to get the ball back near Equatorial Guinea’s box after losing it, but he ran out of puff as he let off a shot. Straight at the keeper and without much power.
85 min: Equatorial Guinea are defending in front of their own box. That means Guinea can get at them and Diakite is past his man on the right flank. He’s charging towards goal on the angle. There are teammates free in the box if he can find them. Instead he shoots – tamely – and it’s an easy save. Poor decision making from the 20-year-old.
82 min: Good football all-round as a delicious ball is headed on target by Guirassy. It’s on target but a sharp save from Owono tips it over the bar.
80 min: Another chance for Guinea to deliver from a free-kick from the right. Please let the delivery be good. It’s not bad, but it’s close enough for Owono to punch away. Guinea recycle it but the attack is repelled and they have to start again from the back.
78 min: Naby Keita, once of Liverpool now with Werder Bremen, replaces Konate in central midfield. Can he provide the missing spark for Guinea?
Cooling break. That was an entertaining passage. A disallowed goal, a red card, a missed penalty. We’re still yearning for a breakthrough (and a goal that will prevent this going into extra time) but at least it’s been fun.
75 min: Owono punches a cross away from danger. Guinea’s coach is getting irate on the touchline. He must be wondering why his team are failing to get the ball up the pitch. Very ponderous from the side with 11 players.
72 min: It’s Equatorial Guinea on the attack. Despite the penalty miss, and despite being a man down, they fancy it. A promising attack down the right can;’t quite stick the landing. Unfortunately the quality in the final third hasn’t been up to scratch.
70 min: That was a huge let-off. Guinea opt to gather themselves before launching an attack down the left. The cross is gathered by the keeper. Guinea will surely have to go for the win with the man advantage.
Penalty missed! Nsue hits the post
Oh my word! He sent the keeper the wrong way but still can’t hit the target. A side-footer scrapes the outside of the post and Sylla’s foul goes unpunished.
“There are silly fouls, and then there are Sylla fouls,” says Peter Oh.
Updated
VAR intervenes, Equatorial Guinea get a penalty!
Now then. The 10-men of Quatorial Guinea will have a chance to go ahead. No question about it. Sylla raked the back of Salvador’s leg and Nsue will have a shot at registering his sixth of the tournament.
Replays are pretty clear. Has to be a penalty. Would be amazed if this isn’t given. Sylla obviously hacked Salvador’s ankle from behind.
VAR is checking the foul on Salvador. Sylla is the offending defender. Could be a penalty…
63 min: Equatorial Guinea have a free-kick near the box on the left. It’s a wonderful opportunity to lift a ball in. Instead they play it low as Salvador finds some space. Clever. But before he can swing his boot he’s knocked over. He lets out a cry but no foul is given.
60 min: This has turned into a predictable pattern. Guinea attacking. Equatorial Guinea sitting deep. A long bal is flicked on by Camara for Bayo but he can’t get a shot away and gives away a hand-ball as Coco defends.
58 min: Guinea’s free-kick from that red-card foul is a poor one, but the ball is recycled as it bobbles in the area. Both centre-backs – Diakhaby and Jeanvier – hack at the ball as they attempt to shoot but neither can catch it clean.]
Equatorial Guinea will likely look to hold on until a penalty shoot-out. From what we’ve seen from Guinea on attack, they might just do it.
Red card! Equatorial Guinea (Bikoro, 56)
Straight red for the midfielder! No doubt about it. He stepped up to clear the ball but he left his kicking leg dangling in the air as he followed through and brought it down with force into Bayo’s rib cage. Bikoro is complaining but he’s got to go. Just as Guinea were gaining a foothold, they’ve been handed a numerical advantage.
Updated
55 min: Guinea have upped the tempo. They’re moving the ball with greater urgency and better accuracy.
Goal disallowed!
Guinea thought they had the opener. Konate hammered the header home but he was a mile off-side when the free-kick was delivered.
51 min: There’s a greater sense of urgency in this half so far. Much better intent from both sides. Let’s hope it lasts. Guinea steal the ball in midfield and shift it left. The cross, though, is disappointing. They’ll have a free-kick as the play is brought back for a foul in the build up
49 min: Blazed over the bar from Guilavogui. Guinea found space down the left and sent their winger on his way wth a lovely through ball. But the first touch took him away from goal and, sensing the onrushing defenders, snatched at the shot.
47 min: Bright start to this half and there’s a penalty shout for Guinea. Sekou Sylla was felled but by his own making, according to the referee. So he’s told to get up.
45 min: An early chance for Equatorial Guinea! Wow, we almost had our opener. The ball was bobbling around in the box and Emilio Nsue lashed at it. He got a big piece of it but it flew over the bar.
Looking for some quality? Then read Jonathan Wilson on the evolution of Africa’s coaches and the end of European journeymen swooping in to do a mediocre job:
The real highlight of the match:
Mdrrrrr mais c’est quelle folie ça encore ? #AFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/NeAZu53NW7
— B’ 🇩🇿🪄 (@hzeeer_) January 28, 2024
Half-time: Guinea 0-0 Equatorial Guinea
Quite possibly the most boring half of football I’ve ever seen. Hyperbolic maybe, but it was just so bereft of inspiration or creativity. Highlights include a free-kick that hit the wall, a diagonal pass that went for a goal-kick and a misplaced pass that trickled out for a throw. Lots of fouls in midfield too, if that’s your thing.
In a tournament that has provided the best Afcon action, this was a let down.
Hoping the next 45 produces a goal. I really don’t want to stick around for extra time.
Back in a bit.
45+1 min: Guinea have the chance to cross from a free-kick to the left of the goal, but the solitary man in the wall is hit and all those towering defenders must make the frustrating trot back to their half.
45 min: A cross from Iban Salvador trickles to Kone. He’s been the liveliest player on the pitch.
Updated
44 min: Guilavogui shoots from the right of the box. It’s high and wide, and never looked like troubling the keeper, but at least we’re seeing some life from Guinea.
43 min: After a lengthy delay Salvador fakes a cross and instead lays it across the edge of the box. The first-time shot from Ganet is well struck but it hits the wall.
Guinea counter and it’s two on one. Camara is away but he hesitates as he looks for help. He would have been better off going alone with confidence.
The best passage of play in the match so far.
40 min: Salvador and Sylla are engaged in a war of words. Their little personal battle is one to keep an eye on.
Now then! It is getting heated. A very high kick from Jeanvier catches Salvador on the face. It’s only a yellow, for now, but he might be in trouble. No doubt about it. That was on the edge of a red. I think Jeanvier is OK.
Free-kick for Equatorial Guinea from the right.
Get it wide!
Equatorial Guinea in possession
— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) January 28, 2024
Yellow circles are fullbacks Akapo and Ndong, red X's are wingers Iban Salvador and Jose Machin
Fullbacks get up the pitch and pin opposing fullbacks, while wingers in this 4-1-4-1 stay narrow
Nsue roams as much as any CF in this tournament pic.twitter.com/mb3myLXj0O
37 min: Salvador is fouled by Guinea’s captain Sylla who cops a yellow card. The Equatorial Guinea winger is not happy and remonstrates with the referee. The subsequent free-kick from the right is cleared without any fuss.
35 min: No luck from the corner. Effortlessly dealt with by Guinea’s commanding defence.
33 min: Back after a drink. Equatorial Guinea on the attack. A decent ball finds Ndong on the left and his would-be cross is deflected for a corner. So a chance to deliver.
Drinks break. They’ve done a lot of running, so a refreshment is well deserved. But you’ll find more football in a spin class. Hopefully the stern words from the coaches can give the 22 players a kick up the backside.
29 min: Diakite once again sees the ball drift over his head after finding room down Guinea’s right flank. Almost half an hour and I’m struggling to think of a single highlight.
Konate receives the ball and his first touch is a good one. That allows Bayo to make a run into the box but the short pass is over-hit. Goal kick.
27 min: Ndong can’t latch onto a long diagonal from Equatorial Guinea’s midfield. Someone needs to get their foot on the ball. The commentators are describing conditions which seem to be very hot and humid. Is that why we’re watching absolute dross?
25 min: A free-kick for Equatorial Guinea in midfield. Just before that a long, hopeful ball for Guinea’s Camara was just out of reach.
22 min: A foul in Guinea’s box this time. Sylla does well to get his body in the way and is felled for his troubles.
20 min: Whistle for foul in Equatorial Guinea’s box! But it’s against the Guinea full-back Diakite so, what was a promising attack for just a brief moment, fizzles to nothing. My goodness this has been drab. As an African I really want to sell this match but I can’t lie to you. It’s been so boring. Both teams are determined to remain in their box for now.
18 min: Indeed, Coco, the centre back, takes aim from a long way out. He can only find the wall and the ball bobbles behind to hand Guinea’s keeper Kone his first touch.
16 min: Ganet escapes from a high press. He’s been handy on the ball as Equatorial Guinea start to grow into the game. It’s a slow build until Bulya is upended. Probably a little too far to shoot but it looks like they’re lining it up from about 40 yards.
14 min: A free-kick for Guinea near the half-way line as Ganet escapes a caution for a wild swipe on Diakite. I’m reporting on fouls inside the centre circle. That should tell you all about the action on show so far.
12 min: Finally, some quality. Nsue’s inside ball finds Salvador’s perfect run as he bursts into the Guinea box and gets to the byline. He twists as he attempts to cut it back but gets his feet in a muddle as the ball dribbles out for a tame goal kick.
11 min: Equatorial Guinea pinch it and drive towards goal. But a poor pass forward from midfield means we’re still watching a pretty toothless exhibition of African football. This has been dull as dishwater.
8 min: This might be the Guinea Derby, but these two teams have never played against each other in an international match. Well colour me surprised.
On the pitch, Guinea are controlling the ball but a mile away from either goal. Equatorial Guinea are bustling about and win it back in their own half.
If this were a boxing match, imagine two fighters who have thrown several jabs while sitting down at opposite ends of the ring.
6 min: Camara’s corner is too deep. Loads of shoving in the area as both sets of players seemed to forget about the ball.
4 min: Equatorial Guinea have hardly seen the ball. But that’s their style so they won’t mind too much. They’re set up to counter. Sylla for Guinea wins the ball and sets a patient build up field. A poor touch from Camara bounces kindly for him and Equatorial Guinea conceded a soft corner.
2 min: Cagey start with Guinea seeing more of the ball. There’s a shot from range but it’s well wide. Just probing so far.
Peeeeep! G in white, EG in red. Away we go.
“What a mouth-watering clash between EG and the OG (Original Guinea?).
“With an imaginary line in their name, Equatorial Guinea will surely have an edge in the VAR department.”
No notes, Peter Oh. Superb.
Team news
Here are the two teams in the Guinea derby:
Equatorial Guinea 4-1-4-1: Ngua, Nchama, Salvador, Dicombo, Sam, Nsue, Nchama, Martinez, Oubina, Fernandez, Comitre
Guinea 5-3-2: Kone, Sylla, Diakhaby, Diawara, Guilavogui, Bayo, Diakite, Jeanvier, Camara, Konate, Sylla
📋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐗𝐈 📋
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 28, 2024
The starting eleven at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara. 👇📋#EQGGUI | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/tg5IgQws7J
Updated
Preamble
These two countries may have similar names, but their journey at the Africa Cup of Nations could not be more different.
Equatorial Guinea were the top-scoring team in the group stages of this tournament, having scored nine goals, only two fewer than they netted in their first three editions combined (11 goals in 15 games in 2012, 2015 and 2021). They also scored four goals in their last two games, the first side to do so since Zambia in 1996.
Enter Guinea, who have scored just four goals in their last eight Afcon matches. They have never scored more than once in any of these games.
What does this all mean? Will we see a flurry of goals or will this be the first knock-out game that goes to penalties after a goalless draw in normal and extra time?
Let’s find out.
Kick-off: 5pm GMT
