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AFCON 2023: Late heroics propel Guinea to quarterfinals

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By Rama Mohammed | 28 Jan 2024

Guinea will now face the winner of the DR Congo versus Egypt clash that kicks off at 11PM EAT

Guinea secured a dramatic victory over Equatorial Guinea to advance to the AFCON quarterfinals in exhilarating fashion.

Despite a slow start characterized by a goalless first half, the match ignited into life after halftime, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

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The pivotal moment came in the 54th minute when Federico Bikoro received a red card, reducing Equatorial Guinea to ten men and shifting the momentum in Guinea's favor. Buoyed by their numerical advantage, Guinea pressed forward in search of a breakthrough.

In the 65th minute, Guinea was awarded a penalty after Ivan Salvador was brought down in the box by Sekou Sylla, offering them a golden opportunity to take the lead. However, the tournament's leading goal scorer, Emilio Nsue, failed to convert from the spot.

Equatorial Guinea coach Juan Micha Bicogo Obiang's reaction to Emilio Nsue's penalty is one that makes a grand entrance to memedom. #AFCON2023
— Anagram254 (@Anagram254) January 28, 2024

Undeterred, Guinea continued to push for the winner as Equatorial Guinea defended resolutely with ten men. Sensing the need for fresh legs, Guinea made a tactical substitution in the 78th minute, replacing Sekou Sylla with Francis Kamono.

As the clock ticked down and extra time loomed, Guinea's persistence paid off in the most dramatic fashion. In the 98th minute, Mohamed Bayo rose highest to meet an inviting cross by Ibrahim Diakite with a perfectly executed header, sparking scenes of jubilation among the Guinea faithful and sealing their place in the quarterfinals.

🇬🇳 Ibrahim Diakite 🇬🇳

An assist at the very end with such a performance makes him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match! ⭐️#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #EQGGUI | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/1DCKoO6Eth
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 28, 2024

With this thrilling victory, Guinea progresses to the next stage of the tournament, where they will await the winner of the clash between Egypt and DR Congo.