B. OsanoAFCON 2023: What's the secret to Emilio Nsue López's longevity?
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 28.01.24. | 12:53
The captain of unfancied Equatorial Guinea, goes into a last-16 tie with Guinea on Sunday after netting five times in the group stage
In a tournament dotted with big-name stars such as Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, the reigning African Player of The Year, Mo Salah of Egypt, Sadio Mane of Senegal among others, nobody ever thought that a 34-year-old largely defender, Emilio Nsue López, would be bossing the scoring charts at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Ivory Coast.
The Equatorial Guinea skipper, a versatile player, who plays mainly as a right-back for Spanish third-tier side CF Intercity, is the leading top scorer after the group matches with five goals.
Again, all eyes will be on the Palma, Spain-born player when The National Thunder takes on Guinea at Stadium of Ebimpe in a round of 16 match on Sunday night.
So what's the secret behind López's longevity?
Equatorial Guinea's captain Emiliano Nsue has become the first player to score a hatrick in #AFCON since 2008.
— Lusulire Ronald (@LusulireR) January 18, 2024
He was born in Spain and played for Spain at Youth level but in 2013 he signed a contract to player for Equatorial Guinea his father's country. #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/FqOnmfVGcb
Speaking ahead of the encounter, the player offered: “I care about my body,” the player said, pointing to Cristiano Ronaldo, the ageless Portuguese megastar as his motivation and role model.
“I'm 34, but my hero is Cristiano Ronaldo, and he's older than me. I care about my body and I like to eat healthy, so for me I don't think it's going to be the last one because I feel better than when I was 20 years old. I am slow, but I'm more experienced, and I think that's my strong point,” he added.
López's lead at the top of the scoring charts was clipped to just a goal by Angolan Gelson Dala, who scored a brace as the Palancas Negras hit Namibia 3-0 to be the first team to get out the first knockout round and into the quarterfinals.
Also climbing up the scoring ladder is vintage Mabululu who beautifully curled in Angola's third goal to crown the rout against the Brave Warriors of Namibia.
AFCON 2023 - LAST 16
Saturday
Angola - Namibia 3-0 (2-0)
/Dala 38, 43 Mabululu 66/
Nigeria - Cameroon 1-0 (0-0)
/Lookman 36/
Sunday
20:00: (3.30) Equatorial Guinea (3.10) Guinea (2.35)
23:00: (2.45) Egypt (3.05) Dr Congo (3.15)
Monday
20:00: (2.00) Cape Verde (3.20) Mauritania (4.20)
23:00: (2.35) Senegal (3.10) Ivory Coast (3.30)
Tuesday
20:00: (2.30) Mali (3.10) Burkina Faso (3.40)
23:00: (1.62) Morocco (3.50) S.Africa (6.50)
***odds are subject to change***
