Day Of Shocks At AFCON As Ivory Coast And Ghana Face Early Elimination
Hosts Ivory Coast were battered 4-0 by minnows Equatorial Guinea to leave them on the brink of an early elimination from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Elsewhere, Ghana are effectively out of the competition after they threw away a two-goal lead against Mozambique in stoppage time.
Monday's drama started in Abidjan as Equatorial Guinea saw off Ivory Coast in convincing fashion to top the group.
Emilio Nsue stretched his lead at the top of the goal scoring charts with two more goals as the Elephants hang on by the skin of their tusks to ensure they remain in the competition.
Nigeria finished second in the group following a 1-0 win over Guinea Bissau.
Ivory Coast are hoping to be among the four best third-placed sides to nick a spot in the knockout round when the group stages conclude.
For the second straight AFCON, Ghana are eliminated in the group stages after they failed to hold on to a two-goal lead established by two Jordan Ayew penalties.
As the clock hit the 90th minute mark, the Black Stars were still 2-0 up until captain Andre Ayew conceded a penalty which was converted by Geny Catamo and Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo had the last laugh with a header from a corner three minutes later.
Cape Verde and Egypt are through to the round of 16 after a 2-2 draw.
