Shock wins for Equatorial Guinea, Zambia

Javier Balboa struck in the 87th minute to give 2012 Africa Cup of Nations co-hosts Equatorial Guinea a 1-0 win over Libya on Saturday.

Libya, who failed to translate their possession into goals, had the better of the early exchanges, looking more cohesive against an opponent which relied on ineffective long balls.

The first chance fell to Libya after six minutes, when Walid Al Khatroushi cut in from the right and dribbled into the penalty area, but Fousseiny Kamisoko denied him with a last-ditch tackle.

Iban 'Randy' Iyanga acted as creator for Equatorial Guinea, who had a goal controversially disallowed when Thierry Fidjeu was ruled to have interfered with Samir Aboud’s botched save attempt.

The second half was similar to the first, with both sides looking tentative early before settling down and exchanging attacks.

The high tempo did not last, however, as much of the second half was played at a rather pedestrian pace.

A rare chance saw a defensive lapse resulting in Equatorial Guinea defender Lawrence Sokota Doe hitting a free kick that Aboud did well to save on 72 minutes.

It looked like the match would end scoreless until Equatorial Guinea substitute Akedo Chigozirin stepped up, splitting the Libyan defence with a through ball that found Balboa.

The former Real Madrid winger curled his effort in and sent the home fans into rapturous celebrations. Ekanga could have added a second in the dying minutes.


Elsewhere, first-half goals from Emmanuel Mayuka and Rainford Kalaba gave Zambia a shock 2-1 win over Senegal in Bata.

Dame N'Doye pulled one back for Senegal to give the Lions of Terenga some hope, but it was not to be.