Juan, Owono certain Equatorial Guinea will put up a fight against Nigeria

2021 AFCON quater-finalists Equatorial Guinea respect, but do not fear opponents in group A ahead of a tough opening fixture against Nigeria on Sunday, Micha and Owono opined at the presser.

Coach Juan Micha and goalkeeper Jesus Owono addressed the press this Saturday, and echoed the team’s aspirations to possibly win a first AFCON.

Jesus Owono, 21, thinks his teammates have the attention of the rest of the world especially after last edition’s good showing.

“We were nominated as part of 5 best teams in Africa at yhe CAF Awards, so we will try to get past the group stage. We deserve our place in this AFCON.”

The Alaves shot-stopper was a revelation in the 33rd edition played out in Cameroon, with some top saves, leading his team to the quarter-finals.

Equatorial Guinea are no pushovers, and even Ahmed Musa and super Eagles coach Jose Pasiero, made mention of the threat the central Africans pose earlier in Nigeria’s press conference.

Juan Micha, one of the coaches nominated by the Confederation of African Football as coach of the the year, is aware that teams now take him very seriously.

” We want to go further than where we are now. Our being here is to play and go beyond this stage. We will give the best of ourselves and try to win this competition.”

Equatorial Guinea’s best recorded performance was in 2015 when they reached the semi-finals as hosts.

The game will be played 2 pm local time at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé.