Equatorial Guinea coach praises team for big win
Esteban Becker refused to get into a debate about the referee after his Equatorial Guinea side beat Tunisia 2-1 after extra time in a controversial Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Saturday.
The tournament hosts trailed heading into injury time in Bata, only to win a soft penalty for a foul on Ivan Bolado by Hamza Mathlouthi.
Javier Balboa converted from the spot and then netted a wonderful free-kick in extra time to take Equatorial Guinea through 2-1.
“Tunisia played very well. They have players who play at a high level, while we only have one who plays in a top division in Europe, and that’s Javier Balboa,” said the Argentine Becker.
“To beat Tunisia is an achievement, almost a miracle.
“Thanks to the players, the people of (Equatorial) Guinea, the people at the federation, their president and of course the president of the Republic.”
Of Tunisia’s angry reaction at full-time, Becker added: “I understand the Tunisians’ anger at having lost, because they had the potential to win by several goals. “But they didn’t do it and in the end the game went our way.”