Binewa Team Profile: Equatorial Guinea at the 2023 AFCON
It is the fourth time Equatorial Guinea will be taking part in the AFCON jamboree, but this is going to be only the second time the team will play on a neutral territory, not as hosts.
Typically described as a small country on the west – coast of Africa which Sprang to live after a discovery of oil in 1995, Equatorial Guinea is now being cited as a textbook case of the resource curse – or the paradox of plenty. Inhabitants of mainland territories; Rio Muni, the five islands including Bioko, where the capital Malabo is located, are absolutely loving the beautiful game as time goes by.
EG made their debut in 2012 as joint hosts of the competition with Gabon, and history holds that, Equatorial Guinea made the quarter finals in her very first time of asking.
Still as hosts three years on, Equatorial Guinea got their best return in the competition till date, when they reached the semis, and bowed to defeat against Ghana, before further losing to DR Congo in the third place playoffs.
In AFCON 2021, Equatorial Guinea ended second runner-up in group E behind Cote D’Ivoire. The Nzalang Nacional then stunned Mali to make the quarter-final (6-5) on penalties, but Senegal ended any further movements in the quarter-final, with a 3-1 mauling over the Central Africans.
Coach
The team is currently guided by 48 – year – old Juan Micha, Equatorial Guinean retired footballer. A former forward of the senior Equatorial Guinea national team, he is equally now the head coach of the country’s national under-17s and the senior men’s team since 2020.
His dual functions – with the different categories helps the gaffer with an easy transition of players from boys – to – men, who can represent fatherland. Journey
Equatorial Guinea was housed in group J of the AFCON 2023 qualifiers that had Tunisia, Botswana and Libya. The outcome after 6 playing days surprised many, as Equatorial Guinea tied neck-on-neck with North Africans Tunisia, in a scuffle for top of the table.
The campaign started on a sour note for EG with a 4-0 defeat to Tunisia.
A win against Libya, and back-to-back successes against Botswana put EG in a suitable position in the log. On game day 5, a home win against Tunisia turned the tables and automatically qualified the team, making day 6 action (1-1) against Libya a mere formality.
Qualifications matches
Tunisia 4–0 Equatorial Guinea
Sliti 56′
Jaziri 77′
Msakni 80′, 85′
Equatorial Guinea 2–0 Libya
Al Tuhami 51′ (o.g.)
Bikoro 83′ (pen.)
Equatorial Guinea 2–0 Botswana
Coco 20′
Bikoro 66′
Botswana 2–3 Equatorial Guinea
Elias 28′
Seakanyeng 66′ (pen.)//
E. Nsue 13′
Ditsele 40′ (o.g.)
Salvador 51′
Equatorial Guinea 1–0 Tunisia
E. Nsue 85′ (pen.)
Libya 1–1 Equatorial Guinea
Taqtaq 80’//
Elo 62′
Group J standing
Tunisia 13 pts, +10 GD
Equatorial Guinea 13 pts, +2GD
Botswana 4 pts
Libya 4 pts
Payers to watch
Emilio Nsue
Versatile player Emilio Nsue López who mainly plays as right back for Intercity Primera in Spain, brings a lot to be table – both defensively, and moving forward.
The former Birmingham City man has an absolute delight of a right foot and can put in the crosses in all shapes. He has scored 6 goals for club this campaign, and helped his side reach the 2023 AFCON finals with two goals.
Goalkeeper Jesus Owono
Owono was a standout performer for Equatorial Guinea in the TotalEnergies 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
The Alaves shot-stopper made some top saves enroute to Guinea’s quarter-final run. Owono has since grown, and now, aged 22, he will be capital in anything positive for his team in Cote D’Ivoire.
Josete Miranda
Josete Miranda played four games in the qualifiers of the competition for two assists. Miranda is an experienced player having played with the team since 2015, and this will be the 25-year-old’s second AFCON finals after 2021. Josete has been on target 5 times in 7 appearances for Greek Super league two side, Niki Volou.
Iban Salvador
Erstwhile Valladolid forward, Iban Salvador is an important piece in coach Juan Micha’s puzzle. The 28-year-old is noted for his energy when playing as center forward. Salvador was a revelation for Equatorial Guinea underway to the last 8 in Cameroon, and he is set to start from where he ended.
AFCON 2023 schedule
Equatorial Guinea begins its campaign in a rip-roaring game in group A against West African giants Nigeria, at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé on January 14.
Four days later, on the same patch, the team goes up against Guinea-Bissau, before concluding its last group game against Cote D’Ivoire, on January 22, still at the Olympic stadium of Ebimpe.
