LIMBE, Cameroon (Reuters) -Sierra Leone’s veteran striker Kei Kamara missed a late penalty to scupper their probabilities of reaching the subsequent spherical of the Africa Cup of Nations as they misplaced 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea on Thursday.
Pablo Ganet’s Thirty eighth-minute strike ensured Equatorial Guinea completed second in Group E and progressed, however Sierra Leone might need gone by way of as probably the greatest third-placed finishers if that they had compelled a draw.
They have been awarded a last-minute penalty, however Kamara’s effort was saved by Equatorial Guinea’s 20-year-old goalkeeper Jesus Owono.
The consequence additionally means the Comoros Islands are by way of as probably the greatest third-placed finishers after their shock 3-2 win over Ghana on Tuesday.
Equatorial Guinea completed the primary spherical with a second successive win and 6 factors, one behind group winners Ivory Coast.
Sierra Leone have been third on two factors with defending champions Algeria backside of the standings.
“To come second in this sturdy group is an actual achievement for us,” stated Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akapo.
Gannet struck on the finish of a intelligent nook routine because the Sierra Leone defence backed off and allowed him to thrash the ball residence from the sting of the penalty space.
Sierra Leone wanted to rating to keep in the match however struggled with fatigue and created few probabilities earlier than substitute Issa Kallon was purchased down.
Sierra Leone celebrated the awarding of the penalty as if that they had scored, however watched in horror as Kamara’s effort was saved by Owono.
The match ended seven minutes into stoppage time when Equatorial Guinea’s Iban Salvador was given a penalty after being tripped in the ultimate assault of the sport, however the referee modified the choice to a free kick on the sting of the world after a number of minutes’ delay on the recommendation of VAR.
Equatorial Guinea have now gone by way of to the knockout levels in all three of their match appearances and can meet the winners of Group F, to be determined in a while Thursday, in Limbe subsequent Wednesday.
“The penalty miss is tough to take, it might have modified every thing for us,” Sierra Leone coach John Keister stated.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Toby Davis and Ed Osmond)
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