Emilio Nsue: AFCON 2023 Top Scorer Apologises to Equatorial Guinea Fans After Penalty Miss and Exit

• Emilio Nsue's crucial penalty miss proved costly in Equatorial Guinea's last 16 tie
• The Nzalang Nacional crashed out in cruel fashion, conceding late after Nsue's miss
• He has since delivered a poignant message to the fans back home following their exit

Emilio Nsue looked distraught after his penalty miss proved costly in Equatorial Guinea's round-of-16 clash with Guinea at the Stade Alassane Ouattara on Sunday, January 28.

Nsue, who leads the top scorer's chart in the ongoing 2023 AFCON, was presented with the perfect opportunity to put the Nzalang Nacional ahead but fluffed his lines.

The 34-year-old, who interestingly plays as a right-back for Spanish lower-tier side CF Intercity, saw his effort crash against the foot of the post, much to the chagrin of head coach Juan Micha, who could not believe his eyes.

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Despite Nsue's miss from 12 yards, the Equatoguineans fought on, but their efforts amounted to nothing in the final third, and they were brutally punished at the tail end of the game.

With the match seemingly heading to extra time, Le Havre striker Mohamed Bayo powered home a header in the 98th minute to secure the win for the Syli National, per the BBC.

After the blast of the whistle, virtually the entire playing body of Equatorial Guinea either buried their faces in their hands or fell to the ground in disappointment, particularly Emilio Nsue.

The captain was visibly heartbroken for invariably costing his side a spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

However, in his interaction with the media after the game, the former Middlesbrough player owned up to his penalty miss while rendering an unqualified apology to the hundreds of Equatoguineans at the stadium and the millions back home, as cited by Daily Post.

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“We did our best and I apologize personally for my penalty miss,” he said.

Here is the video:

Equatorial Guinea coach shocked after Nsue miss

In a related publication, Sports Brief also reported that no one experienced the agony of the missed penalty more than Equatorial Guinea's coach, Juan Micha, whose reaction spoke volumes.

Immediately after Nsue's shot hit the post, Micha displayed a bewildered expression for a few seconds, seemingly processing how his team had squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead with 10 men.

Despite trying to encourage his players, Micha's profound disappointment was unmistakable.