Equatorial Guinea striker Emilio Nsue, initially the standout performer with five goals during the first round of AFCON 2023, faced a heartbreaking moment as he missed a crucial penalty against Guinea in the round of 16.
Despite the disappointment, Nsue expressed a mix of emotions.
Devastated and saddened, he acknowledged the pivotal role of small details and game incidents, including a red card that shifted the match in Guinea’s favour.
“I feel devastated. I feel very sad. I had in my hands the possibility of taking my country to the quarter-finals of this AFCON. And then, there were these small details, these facts of the game, like the red card, which tilted the match towards Guinea,” Nsue expressed
“Despite everything, there is also a lot of pride for what all my teammates did during the competition. Today is football: sometimes it gives you a lot, sometimes less, and it’s a bad day like today. But that’s life, you have to keep working.”
Despite the setback, Nsue found pride in his teammates’ efforts throughout the competition, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of football.
Reflecting on the pressure labelled as favourites after his impressive hat-trick against the hosts, Nsue remained humble, acknowledging the challenging nature of the match against a well-organized team.
The turning points, including the red card and his missed penalty, significantly altered the course of the game, leading to their exit from the tournament.
Although still in contention to finish as the top scorer in CAN 2023, Nsue prioritized his team’s performance over personal accolades.
Expressing indifference towards individual achievements, he remained focused on the collective effort, lamenting the missed opportunity to advance further in the competition.
