Emilio Nsue: Equatorial Guinea’s Hat Trick Hero Sets AFCON Milestone After Downing Guinea Bissau

• Emilio Nsue made history at the ongoing AFCON with his hat-trick
• His three strikes were the tournament's first hat-trick in 15 years
• Interestingly, the 34-year-old plays as a right-back at club level

Emilio Nsue struck on three occasions to etch his name in the sands of time as Equatorial Guinea beat Guinea-Bissau on Thursday, January 18, at the Stade Alassane Ouattara.

The right-back, who plays as a striker for the Nzalang Nacional, became the first player to score a hat-trick in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as his side built on their impressive draw with Nigeria with a 4-2 win.

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Nsue scored the first of his three goals in the 21st minute when he capitalised on some schoolboy defending by the Guinea-Bissau defence to break the game's deadlock.

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He grabbed his personal second and his team's third of the afternoon, sweeping home a delicious pass by Basilio Ndong six minutes after recess.

The 34-year-old then added the icing on the cake for the 2015 AFCON semi-finalists when he dribbled past the onrushing goalkeeper to put the game beyond the reach of their opponents.

Nsue writes AFCON history with hat-trick

While there was a consolation goal from Ze Turbo, the day belonged to Nsue and Equatorial Guinea as they jumped to the summit of Group A.

His feat (netting three times) during 90 minutes meant he scored the first treble of the 34th edition and, by extension, the first hat-trick in 15 years, with the last coming in the 2008 edition.

While most of the milestones chalked by the former Middlesbrough and Birmingham City star are impressive, it is safe to say that his three strikes make him the oldest ever to record such a feat.

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According to Opta Statistics, at the age of 34 years and 110 days, Nsue became the oldest player in AFCON history to score a hat trick.

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