A livid Georges Leekens had to hold back his emotions on Saturday after seeing his Tunisia side bow out of the Africa Cup of Nations in controversial circumstances to hosts Equatorial Guinea.

The Carthage Eagles were a goal up in Bata and heading through to the semi-finals when Mauritian referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn awarded the hosts a dubious penalty in injury time.

Javier Balboa converted from the spot and then netted a wonderful free-kick in extra time to take Equatorial Guinea through 2-1.

"It is difficult to accept the decision of the referee. This victory was certainly not merited, not in this way. We were the better team," raged Leekens.

"This was too bad for football and Tunisia didn't deserve this.

"The result was forced. They were at home, and I said yesterday (Friday) that I hoped the referee would be up to the job.

"He was not. It is as simple as that. It's a shame."

Furious Tunisia players tried to attack the referee at the end of the game, and Leekens added: "I am having to hold back my emotions, but this is not acceptable and it is not about the players. It is about what happened in the game.

"Everyone makes mistakes. This one was a big one."

Tunisia defender Hamza Mathlouthi was at the centre of the penalty storm after being penalised for a foul on Ivan Bolado inside the area.

However, Leekens insisted that Mathlouthi had "not even touched" his opponent.

"I must protect my players and protect football. I have been a coach for 30 years and have experienced a lot of things and worked abroad, but we can't accept that.

"The free-kick, ok, but the penalty is unacceptable.

"Everyone laughed. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"We have not been treated as we should have been in the two weeks we have been here, and that has nothing to do with Equatorial Guinea.

"It is not just this match. We have had two penalties given against us and there were two that we should have had.

"That is a lot in four matches. Once is ok, twice is ok, three times is difficult, and four times is too much!"