Equatorial Guinea stars miss out on huge bonus

Money and success sometimes go hand in hand, but there is no guarantee. Joint hosts Equatorial Guinea and Gabon have been the surprise teams of the tournament, riding on huge bonuses from the first son Uslan Obiang and President Ali Bongo Ondimba respectively.

Going into the quarter final clash against favourites Les Elephants of Cote d’ Ivoire on Saturday, the Nzalang Nacional players were promised Shs460m each to win by the government.

All that came to a halt against an experienced Cote‘d Ivoire side that recorded their 10th Orange Africa Cup of Nations win in a row, including the qualifiers where they finished 12 points ahead of second placed side Rwanda. The Ivoirians are yet to let in a goal after 360 minutes of football.

So good are the West African side, seeking a first continental title since 1992, they could afford to miss a penalty from skipper Didier Drogba but still steam roll the talkative Nzalang Nacional 3-0. Drogba made amends with two goals, Man City’s Yaya Toure netted the other. Drogba has now scored three goals in the tournament.

After the match, Nzalang Nacional Brazalian coach Gilson Paulo who had belittled the Les Elephants by calling them ‘little’ saluted them. He said: "There is no joy in defeat,” said Paulo.

“We did not expect a miracle against our opponents who are overwhelming favourites to lift the Cup. My players played some beautiful game but Cote d’Ivoire have experienced players. We knew it would be different level but we have proved that with experience we can match the best.”

His counterpart Francois Zahoui of Cote d’ Ivoire concurred with Paulo that experience played a big part in their win. “When Didier (Drogba) missed the penalty, we did not panic. Equatorial Guinea are a good side but with players like Didier and Yaya, you expect something out of them. Now we are looking to semi-finals in Libreville,” the humble Ivorian coach said.