Nigeria vs Guinea-Bissau LIVE: Result and reaction as Super Eagles reach last-16
Plus updates from Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast as Group A reaches its conclusion
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Your support makes all the difference.The final two matches in Group A take place this evening as the Africa Cup of Nations enters the end of its group stages. Three teams, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Ivory Coast, all have the chance to finish top of the table and set up an easier fixture for the first knockout round as there is just one point separating the sides.
Nigeria perhaps have the strongest chance. They are currently second in the table, behind Equatorial Guinea, but face Guinea-Bissau who have yet to win a match. The tournament hosts, Ivory Coast, take on the National Thunder in a huge clash that could leave the loser on the brink of an early exit.
The top two finishers automatically qualify for the next round with the four best third placed teams also sneaking through. Ivory Coast currently sit third but their three points should be enough for them to qualify though they would rather not take the risk. Victory over Equatorial Guinea would propel them up the table and ensure a place in the next round regardless of what happens in Nigeria’s match.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest Afcon odds and tips right here:
Six people die in Guinea celebrating win over Gambia at Africa Cup of Nations
Six people have died in Guinea celebrating the country’s win over Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Guinea’s 1-0 win at the tournament, which is being hosted in neighbouring Ivory Coast, was only their third Afcon win in the past decade, and gave them hope of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition.
The victory sparked wild scenes back home as people took to the streets in cars and on motorcycles in the Guinean capital, Conakry, on Friday night. According to Agence France Presse, many revellers sat on car bonnets as they raced around the city.
Six people die in Guinea celebrating win over Gambia at Africa Cup of Nations
Fans raced around the capital, Conakry, in cars and on motorcycles immediately following the win at Afcon
Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast
Equatorial Guinea have never beaten Ivory Coast in competitive football. Of the three matches the two nations have played against each other one ended in a draw while Ivory Coast have triumphed twice.
Can the National Thunder buck that trend tonight?
Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast
No player at Afcon 2023 has outdone Seko Fofana’s four shot-ending carries, but the midfield man must avoid speculative efforts if the game is not going the Elephants’ way.
Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast team changes
There are no changes to Equatorial Guinea’s line-up as the Group A leaders look to secure top spot and claim a second win of the tournament. They’re unbeaten so far so why change a winning formula.
Ivory Coast make four changes with Willy Boly and Wilfried Singo slotting into the defence as Oumar Diakité and Nicolas Pépé start in the forward line.
Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast line-ups
Equatorial Guinea XI: Owono; Akapo, Fernandez, Coco, Ndong; Pepin; Miranda, Ganet, Bikoro, Salvador; Nsue
Ivory Coast XI: Y. Fofana; Singo, Konan, Boly, Ndicka; S, Fofana, Sangare, Kessie; Kouame, Pepe, Diakite
Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast prediction
While Equatorial Guinea have acquitted themselves well so far, Ivory Coast should have enough firepower and skil in front of their home supporters to secure a win and ease any worries over a possible early exit.
Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Ivory Coast.
Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory coast team news
Nsue is expected to captain the Equatoguineans as they seek to collect another victory and finish top of Group A. Pablo Ganet was substituted in the triumph over Guinea-Bissau, possibly ruling out the midfield man against the host nation.
It remains to be seen if Sebastien Haller and Simon Adingra are healthy to play in Monday’s final Group A encounter for Ivory Coast, having missed the Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria fixtures because of injury.
How to watch Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast
Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast kicks off at 5pm at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, commonly known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé.
The match is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League with coverage starting at 4.45pm.
Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations. The early kick offs for tonight’s games sees Group A come to its conclusion with Equatorial Guinea taking on hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria facing Guinea-Bissau.
All three of Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast and Nigeria could potentially end up finishing top of the group yet there is an outside possibility of Ivory Coast being dumped out of their home tournament early should thye lose.
Our focus will mainly be on the match between Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast but we’ll have the latest updates from Nigeria’s clash as well.
Kick off for both games is at 5pm so stick around.
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