National Thunder soaring ahead of maiden clash with Guinea

Equatorial Guinea head coach Juan Micha believes that qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations last 16 has given them confidence ahead of their clash with Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 7pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

The National Thunder caused one of the shocks at the tournament when they thrashed hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 on 22 January to clinch top spot in Group A.

Micha's side had held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw on day two of the continental showpiece before running out convincing 4-2 victors against Guinea-Bissau on 18 January.

The big win over the Elephants saw Equatorial Guinea finish ahead of the Super Eagles on goal difference after both teams picked up seven points from their three group matches.

The National Elephants advanced to the knockout stages as the best third-placed team with a record of one win, one draw and one defeat.

It was the third edition in a row that Kaba Diawara's side had reached the round of 16; they began with a 1-1 draw against Cameroon and beat Gambia 1-0 before losing 2-0 to defending champions Senegal.

TEAM NEWS

Emilio Nsue is expected to lead the line once more for the National Thunder in Abidjan at the same venue where he has already scored five goals, including a hat-trick against the Djurtus - the first since AFCON 2008.

Serhou Guirassy missed Guinea's opening two games with a knee injury, but featured for 64 minutes on his return to action against the Lions of Teranga on 23 January and should be fit to start in the last 16.

WHAT WAS SAID

Equatorial Guinea head coach Juan Micha

"With our humility we made the effort to reach as far as possible against the big teams. We are working to reach the level of the big guys.

"What we want is to believe in ourselves and try to win every time. We must forget this match (against Ivory Coast) and plan for the rest of the competition."

Guinea head coach Kaba Diawara

"We wanted to win this match, and it's a shame. At the end, we could even have conceded a third goal. Senegal dominated and there's nothing to say.

"It hurts because we don't like losing, but it's part of the game. We need to lift our heads and look ahead to the Round of 16."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Equatorial Guinea - Emilio Nsue is the leading scorer after the group stages with five goals. He become only the 17th player to score three goals in one match at the African showpiece and his brace against Ivory Coast set the National Thunder up for a comprehensive victory. The 34-year-old forward now has six Afcon goals to his name after scoring in the 1-1 draw with Congo at the 2015 edition.

Guinea - Naby Keita returned to captain the team against Senegal after remaining on the bench for their Group C opener and making a 13-minute cameo in the win over the Scorpions. The 28-year-old midfielder has been plagued with injuries in recent years, but he continues to be crucial to the National Elephants.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first time that these two teams face off against each other.