#3. Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶
Population: 1,679,172
Nickname: National Thunder
Appearances: 4th
Last Appearance: 2021
Coach: Juan Micha
Best AFCON results: Quarter-finals (2012,2021)
Skipper: Emilio Nsue
Player to watch: Emilio Nsue
Region: UNIFFAC (Central Africa)
CAF Rankings: 18
FIFA Rankings: 88
Most caps: Federico Bikoro (46)
Top Scorer: Emilio Nsue (17 goals)
Equatorial Guinea may not have bonafide superstars but it has been playing well in the part of 2023. Unbeaten in their last 10 games including friendly games, National Thunder won their two opening fixtures in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Namibia. In the AFCON 2023 qualifiers, Equatorial Guinea didn’t disappoint as they won four, drew one and lost one in the six games they played including a 1-0 win over the highly ranked Tunisia.
Juan Micha’s team will be a huge threat in Group A considering their last 10 games ahead of the AFCON.
Skipper Emilio Nsue has been with the national team since 2013 after playing for Spain U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21. Born in Palma de Mallorca in Spain, the 34-year-old CF Intercity right-back’s experience will be crucial in Equatorial Guinea’s campaign in Ivory Coast. Pedro Obiang is one experienced midfielder who will be useful to Juan Micha’s plans for AFCON 2023.
The Core of the team
Equatorial Guinea has a spine of Jesus Owono as a keeper with Akapo, Coco and Ndong leading them at the back.
Garnet and Pedro Obiang are normally partnered in front of the defence.
Nsue, Machin, Miranda and Salvador are the playmakers.
Probable line up
4-2-3-1
Owono
Akapo Orozco Coco Ndong
Ganet Obiang
Miranda Machin Salvador
Nsue
Notable Legends
Yago Alonso-Fueyo, Fousseny Kamissoko, Lawrence Doe, Emilio Nsue, Pedro Obiang, Achille Pensy, Jean-Maxime Ndong, Viera Ellong, Frederico Bikolo
Expectations: Round 16
Fixtures
•Nigeria v Equatorial Guinea
•Equatorial Guinea v Guinea Bissau
•Equatorial Guinea v Ivory Coast
