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Equatorial Guinea national football team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Equatorial Guinea women's national football team.

Equatorial Guinea
Nickname(s)Nzalang Nacional (National Thunder)
AssociationFederación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNIFFAC
(Central Africa)
Head coachJuan Michá
CaptainCarlos Akapo
Most capsFederico Bikoro (55)
Top scorerEmilio Nsue (22)
Home stadiumEstadio de Malabo
FIFA codeEQG
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 88 Increase 6 (24 October 2024)[1]
Highest49 (February 2015)
Lowest195 (December 1998)
First international
 China 6–2 Equatorial Guinea 
(China, 23 May 1975)
Biggest win
 Equatorial Guinea 4–0 Central African Republic 
(Bata, Equatorial Guinea; 1 December 2014)
 Equatorial Guinea 4–0 South Sudan 
(Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; 4 September 2016)
 Equatorial Guinea 4–0 Ivory Coast 
(Abidjan, Ivory Coast; 22 January 2024)
Biggest defeat
 Congo 6–0 Equatorial Guinea 
(Congo, 13 December 1990)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances4 (first in 2012)
Best resultFourth place (2015)
African Nations Championship
Appearances1 (first in 2018)
Best resultGroup stage (2018)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances0
Best resultWithdrew (2015)

The Equatorial Guinea national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Guinea Ecuatorial) represents Equatorial Guinea in men's international football and is controlled by the Equatoguinean Football Federation, a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, but has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations on four occasions, the first two times as hosts (in 2012 and 2015). They finished in fourth place in 2015, and reached the quarter-finals in 2012 and 2021.

History

[edit]

Equatorial Guinea played its first match on 23 May 1975 against China in a friendly, losing 6–2. They did not play another game until the 1985 UDEAC Cup in December 1985. They were drawn in a group against the hosts Congo and Central African Republic. They lost 5–0 to the Congo on 9 December and then earned their first draw by drawing 1–1 against the Central African Republic on 14 December. On 16 December, they played a play-off for fifth place against Chad, and lost 3–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[3]

Equatorial Guinea would come in fourth in the 1987 UDEAC Cup, losing on penalties in the third place match to Gabon, even though they only scored one goal throughout the tournament in a 1–1 draw against Chad. They also drew 0–0 against Cameroon. On their next attempt, they got sixth place after losing on penalties against the Central African Republic. The next time Equatorial Guinea played the Central African Republic, in 1999, they won, 4–2. It was Equatorial Guinea's first win.[3]

In the late 2000s, the FEGUIFUT, along with the Gabonese Federation, announced a bid to host the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, against other African nations' bids, including Angola, Libya and Nigeria. Equatorial Guinea and Gabon won the right to host the games,[4] and two new stadiums were built in Equatorial Guinea: Estadio de Bata in Bata and Estadio de Malabo in Malabo.[5]

The first game in the 2012 African Cup of Nations was also Equatorial Guinea's first participation in a major international tournament, and resulted in a historic 1–0 win over Libya on 21 January 2012 in the opening game of the tournament. An 87th-minute strike from former Real Madrid winger Javier Balboa earned the victory.[6] In the next game, they secured the qualification for the quarter-finals by beating Senegal 2–1,[7] and finished second in their group after losing 0–1 to Zambia.[8] They progressed to the quarter-finals where they were eliminated by the tournament's runners-up Ivory Coast, losing 3–0 with goals from Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré.[9] Various national side players were praised due to their performances in the tournament, including Javier Balboa, Randy, Ben Konaté and Rui, the latter a part of the Team of the Tournament.[10]

Three years after that Africa Cup of Nations, Equatorial Guinea organized solely the 2015 edition, but this time, to replace Morocco, the original host. In the opener, they drew 1–1 against Congo, with Emilio Nsue scoring first. In the second game, they managed to play out a 0–0 draw with Burkina Faso, the runners-up of the previous edition. With these two results, the Nzalang Nacional had to win against its classic rival Gabon in the third match in order to qualify for the quarter-finals. Equatorial Guinea won 2–0 with goals from Javier Balboa (a penalty kick) and Ibán. As Group A's runner-up, the Equatoguinean national team then defeated Tunisia 2–1 with two goals from Balboa, the first being a penalty kick in the final moments of the regular time, and the second was in extra time. In the semi-final, however, they lost 0–3 to Ghana, and in the match for third place, drew 0–0 against DR Congo, ultimately losing 2–4 on penalties. The country finished the tournament in fourth place, being its best international participation to date and helping it reach a historical 49th position in the FIFA rankings.

2021 Africa Cup of Nations

[edit]

Equatorial Guinea failed to qualify for 2017 and 2019 editions of the African Cup of Nations. Likewise, the team had also didn't qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. During the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, they were grouped in group J along with powerhouse Tunisia, 2019 AFCON participant Tanzania and North African bedfellow Libya. The Nzalang Nacional performed poorly in their first two games, losing both with one goal margin to Tanzania away and Tunisia at home, and it appeared that Equatorial Guinea would just end up failing as usual as the team had never qualified throughout regular qualification outside hosting the competition twice.[11][12]

However, the COVID-19 pandemic led all AFCON qualification suspended until late 2020, when it resumed as Equatorial Guinea faced up against a rising spirit Libyan side that aimed to qualify for the first time since 2012. Despite this, Equatorial Guinea produced an outstanding comeback against Libya in Egypt, beating Libya 3–2 with two late goals by Pedro Obiang and Salomón Obama from being led 1–2 until injury times.[13] The Nzalang Nacional later hosted the same opponent at home, and like their game in Cairo, the Equatorial Guineans won again, 1–0, by virtual goal from Iban Salvador.[14] After beating Tanzania 1–0 on home soil, Equatorial Guinea managed a historic feat, a regular qualification for the first time ever in its history.[citation needed]

During AFCON 2021, the National Thunder were drawn in group E, alongside Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Algeria. Equatorial Guinea lost their opening match against Ivory Coast, but produced one of the tournament's surprised when they defeated trophy holders Algeria in their second match.[15] In their final match of the group, they defeated Sierra Leone and qualified for the round of 16, coming in second in the group, after Ivory Coast.[16]

In the round of 16, Equatorial Guinea was drawn against Mali, the winners of group F. The game ended in a goalless draw after 120 minutes and went to deciding penalties, where the Nzalang Nacional won the shoot-out 6–5 thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who saved two of the shots. This meant that the national team qualified for the quarter finals of AFCON for the third time in their history and the first one advancing from the round of 16. They subsequently lost to eventual champions Senegal, 3-1.[17]

Naturalised players controversy

[edit]

In recent years, Equatorial Guinea has courted controversy by recruiting foreign players and giving them citizenship despite having little or no ties to the country. In 2009, South African journalist and FIFA archivist Mark Gleeson wrote that it was undermining the integrity of African football.[18]

In late 2005, and at the request of Ruslán Obiang Nsue, a son of President Teodoro Obiang, Brazilian coach Antônio Dumas recruited several Brazilian players to represent the Equatorial Guinea but the CAF and FIFA turned a blind eye, despite complaints from other nations.

In 2012, having lost the first leg of a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification round 4–0 to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea recruited nine Brazilian players to help overturn the deficit for the second leg. The team did manage to win the match 2–1, but it was not enough to overturn the aggregate and Equatorial Guinea were eliminated. DR Congo head coach Claude Le Roy complained that the Equatorial Guinea were acting like the "United Nations of football"[citation needed].

Before the arrival of new coach Andoni Goikoetxea to Malabo, in March 2013, the Equatoguinean board made the squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Cape Verde and again called-up nine Brazilian players.[19] In May 2013, they joined Colombian-born, Equatorian-based Jimmy Bermúdez, who was going to be paid €3,000 for each match he played.[20]

During the 2015 qualifiers, in the games played against Mauritania, the Nzalang Nacional lost 1–0 away and won 3–0 in Malabo, qualifying to the next round to face Uganda. However, the Mauritanian Football Federation submitted a complaint to CAF about the inclusion of ineligible players by Equatorial Guinea (some with fake passports and false names), resulting in the expulsion of the Equatorial Guinean team, based on the particular situation of Thierry Fidjeu, while the cases of the other players remained under investigation.

Emilio Nsue, who had played for Spanish youth national teams from 2005 to 2011, played two matches of Equatorial Guinea in 2013. A few months later, FIFA declared him ineligible for that match and for the return fixture, awarding both games to Cape Verde by a 3–0 scoreline.[21] Nsue did not gain Equatoguinean nationality until after playing official matches for Spain and the Equatoguinean Football Federation did not ask FIFA for permission to switch allegiances.[22] Nsue continued to play for Equatorial Guinea despite FIFA declaring his ineligibility, including the 2015, 2021, and 2023 editions of the African Cup of Nations.[22] In June 2024, FIFA judges ruled that Nsue was never eligible to play for Equatorial Guinea throughout his entire career.[22]

Home stadium

[edit]
Further information: Estadio de Malabo
Estadio de Malabo

Equatorial Guinea's home stadium is Estadio de Malabo in the same name city. It can hold up to 15,250 people. Equatorial Guinea played there when they hosted the Afcon 2012 and they played against eventual winners Zambia and runners-up, the Ivory Coast. They also played in the newly constructed Estadio de Bata, where they won both their games against Libya and Senegal.[5]

Kit and colours

[edit]

Equatorial Guinea wears a red and white uniform. The kit manufacturer is Erreà. When they play in Equatorial Guinea, they wear a solid red jersey and matching shorts with white stripes. The number, FEGUIFUT logo, and Erreà logo are located on the chest. The socks are red with white at the top.[23] When Equatorial Guinea is away, they wear all white shirt with blue stripes.

Rivalries

[edit]

Tunisia

[edit]

The rivalry with Tunisia is unique over the fact that these meetings are more recent and used to be regarded as unimportant, but the root fuelling this rivalry occurred during the quarter-finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, in which the Tunisians got a string of unfair decisions from the referee, which caused the team to lose to the Equatorial Guinean hosts 2–1, fuelled widespread rage and anger among Tunisian players and fans.[24] Ever since, Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea have found themselves surprisingly in confrontation of numerous recent tournament qualifications, started with the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification where Tunisia won both fixtures, albeit by one goal margin. However, despite Tunisia's domination, Equatorial Guinea have proven to be increasingly stern in later qualifications, having managed to defeat Tunisia at home in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.[25][26] Both national teams are again scheduled to face each other at the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.[27]

Gabon

[edit]

Equatorial Guinea classic rival is its neighbor Gabon.[28] Disputed territories are a main cause in this rivalry.[29] Their first recognized match was on 18 December 1987 and it ended in a 4-3 win for Gabon via penalty shoot-out after a goalless draw. After five loses over the next 15 years, Equatorial Guinea would earn its first win on 8 June 2003, a 2-1 at home, during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.[30] This result is among the most celebrated Equatorial Guinea matches ever by local fans.[31] They also had a notable 2-0 victory over Gabon at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, which allowed them to pass the group stage, eliminating Gabon in the process.

Results and fixtures

[edit]
Main article: Equatorial Guinea national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

[edit]
15 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Equatorial Guinea  0–3
Awarded[note 1]		  Namibia Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
14:00 UTC+1
  • Nsue 67'
 Report Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
Referee: Ali Sabilla (Uganda)
20 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Liberia  3–0
Awarded[note 1]		  Equatorial Guinea Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Attendance: 3,044
Referee: Karim Sabri (Morocco)

2024

[edit]
9 January Friendly Equatorial Guinea  1–1  Djibouti Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
15:00 UTC+1 Akapo 23' Report Akinbinu 71' Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
14 January 2023 AFCON GS Nigeria  1–1  Equatorial Guinea Abidjan, Ivory Coast
14:00 Osimhen 38' Report Salvador 36' Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Attendance: 8,500
Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
18 January 2023 AFCON GS Equatorial Guinea  4–2  Guinea-Bissau Abidjan, Ivory Coast
14:00
Report
Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
22 January 2023 AFCON GS Equatorial Guinea  4–0  Ivory Coast Abidjan, Ivory Coast
 Report Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Referee: Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)
28 January 2023 AFCON R16 Equatorial Guinea  0–1  Guinea Abidjan, Ivory Coast
17:00 Report
Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Attendance: 36,340
Referee: Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)
22 March 2024 FIFA Series Equatorial Guinea  2–0  Cambodia Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
22:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City
Referee: Hussain Al-Shuwaikh (Bahrain)
25 March 2024 FIFA Series Cape Verde  1–0  Equatorial Guinea Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
22:00 UTC+3 Cabral 64' Report Stadium: Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City
Referee: Qasim Matar Al-Hatmi (Oman)
6 June 2026 World Cup qualification Tunisia  1–0  Equatorial Guinea Tunis, Tunisia
20:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Hammadi Agrebi Stadium
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
10 June 2026 World Cup qualification Equatorial Guinea  1–0  Malawi Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
14:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
Referee: Lamin Jammeh (Gambia)
5 September 2025 AFCON qualification Algeria  2–0  Equatorial Guinea Oran, Algeria
20:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Miloud Hadefi Stadium
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)
9 September 2025 AFCON qualification Equatorial Guinea  2–2  Togo Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
16:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)
11 October 2025 AFCON qualification Equatorial Guinea  1–0  Liberia Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
14:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
Referee: Ahmed Arajiga (Tanzania)
14 October 2025 AFCON qualification Liberia  1–2  Equatorial Guinea Monrovia, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Referee: Brahamou Sadou Ali (Niger)
10 November 2025 AFCON qualification Equatorial Guinea  v  Algeria
--:--  Report
18 November 2025 AFCON qualification Togo  v  Equatorial Guinea Lomé, Togo
--:--  Report Stadium: Stade de Kégué

Coaching staff

[edit]
Position Name
Head coach Equatorial Guinea Juan Michá Obiang Bicogo
Assistant coach Equatorial Guinea Casto Nopo
Goalkeeping coach Equatorial Guinea Benjamín Olo Mbang Esono
Doctors Equatorial Guinea Galo Ela Owono Ndong
Equatorial Guinea Fernando Oyono Mba Nsue
Physiotherapists Equatorial Guinea Carlos Obiang Esono Nzang
Equatorial Guinea Boyebote Masa Nsue Efua
Equatorial Guinea Jesús Ndong Nchama Ekeng
Delegate Equatorial Guinea Daniel Ebendeng Oyono Mbang
Physical trainers Equatorial Guinea José Víctor Nchama Asumu Nguema
Utility man Equatorial Guinea Levi Ela Ayong Nsue
Assistant utility man Equatorial Guinea José Marcos Mituy Owono Nzang
Nutritionist Equatorial Guinea Úrsula Esono Mbela Ndong
Security representative Equatorial Guinea Juan Ricardo Ela Ndong Mve

Coaching history

[edit]
Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Coaches of local-based national team

[edit]
  • Equatorial Guinea Rodolfo Bodipo (2017–2018)
  • Equatorial Guinea Antonio Pancho (2019)
  • Equatorial Guinea Felipe Esono (2019–present)

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]

The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Algeria and Togo on 14 and 17 November 2024, respectively.[33]

Caps and goals updated as of 17 November 2024 after the match against Togo.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Jesús Owono (2001-03-01) 1 March 2001 (age 23) 35 0 Spain Alavés
13 1GK Miguel Eyama (1998-07-08) 8 July 1998 (age 26) 8 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Mongomo
23 1GK Manuel Sapunga (1992-11-23) 23 November 1992 (age 32) 4 0 South Africa Polokwane City
2 2DF Néstor Senra (2002-01-04) 4 January 2002 (age 22) 9 0 Spain Atlético Antoniano
3 2DF Marvin Anieboh (1997-08-26) 26 August 1997 (age 27) 18 0 Spain Don Benito
6 2DF Cosme Anvene (1990-03-03) 3 March 1990 (age 34) 20 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Unidad
11 2DF Basilio Ndong (1999-01-17) 17 January 1999 (age 25) 54 0 Romania Universitatea Craiova
12 2DF Cristian Ebea (2001-02-02) 2 February 2001 (age 23) 6 0 Spain Rayo Majadahonda
15 2DF Carlos Akapo (captain) (1993-03-12) 12 March 1993 (age 31) 42 2 United States San Jose Earthquakes
16 2DF Saúl Coco (1999-02-09) 9 February 1999 (age 25) 27 3 Italy Torino
20 2DF Luis Enrique Nsue (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 (age 26) 11 0 Morocco COD Meknès
21 2DF Esteban Obiang (1998-05-07) 7 May 1998 (age 26) 37 1 Romania Argeș Pitești
4 3MF Federico Bikoro (1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 (age 28) 59 6 Morocco Raja CA
5 3MF Omar Mascarell (1993-02-02) 2 February 1993 (age 31) 6 0 Spain Mallorca
7 3MF José Machín (1996-08-14) 14 August 1996 (age 28) 31 0 Italy Frosinone
8 3MF Jannick Buyla (1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 26) 30 3 Spain Tarazona
10 3MF Gael Joel Akogo (2003-12-21) 21 December 2003 (age 20) 7 0 Spain Recreativo Granada
14 3MF Pedro Obiang (1992-03-27) 27 March 1992 (age 32) 23 3 Italy Sassuolo
18 3MF Jordan Gutiérrez (1998-07-08) 8 July 1998 (age 26) 13 0 Bulgaria Septemvri Sofia
22 3MF Pablo Ganet (1994-11-04) 4 November 1994 (age 30) 51 5 Spain Mérida
9 4FW Dorian Jr. (2001-05-12) 12 May 2001 (age 23) 19 1 Spain Marbella
17 4FW Josete Miranda (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26) 47 3 Greece Iraklis Thessaloniki
19 4FW Luis Nlavo (2001-07-09) 9 July 2001 (age 23) 27 5 Portugal Moreirense
24 4FW Domingo Mba (2000-02-24) 24 February 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Spain Moscardó

Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have been called up in the last 12 months and are still eligible to represent.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Marcos Ondo (2000-08-13) 13 August 2000 (age 24) 5 0 Equatorial Guinea Cano Sport v.  Malawi, 10 June 2024
GK Aitor Embela (1996-04-17) 17 April 1996 (age 28) 9 0 Spain CD Soneja 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
GK Mariano Magno Mba (1999-08-03) 3 August 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Unidad 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF José Elo (2000-10-21) 21 October 2000 (age 24) 4 1 Unattached v.  Liberia, 14 October 2024
DF Rafael Nguema (2006-02-22) 22 February 2006 (age 18) 1 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Mongomo v.  Togo, 9 September 2024
DF Antonio Mekina (2004-11-17) 17 November 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea 15 de Agosto [es] v.  Togo, 9 September 2024
DF Charles Ondo (2003-10-22) 22 October 2003 (age 21) 4 0 England Hemel Hempstead Town v.  Malawi, 10 June 2024
DF Juan Pedro Nsue (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Ebenezer v.  Malawi, 10 June 2024
DF Luis Meseguer (1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 (age 25) 15 1 Spain Las Rozas 2024 FIFA Series
DF Vicente Esono (2002-10-30) 30 October 2002 (age 22) 8 0 Morocco Wafaa Riadi Fassi 2024 FIFA Series
DF Marcelo Asumu (1992-01-16) 16 January 1992 (age 32) 2 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Unidad 2024 FIFA Series
DF Javier Mum (2001-01-24) 24 January 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Zambia MUZA 2024 FIFA Series
DF Hugo Buyla (2005-03-08) 8 March 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Mexico América under-23 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Diosdado Mbele (1997-04-08) 8 April 1997 (age 27) 38 0 Equatorial Guinea Leones Vegetarianos 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Miguel Ángel Mayé (1995-12-08) 8 December 1995 (age 28) 17 0 Equatorial Guinea 15 de Agosto [es] 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Cristián Nzang (1990-07-27) 27 July 1990 (age 34) 12 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Mongomo 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Santiago Eneme (2000-09-29) 29 September 2000 (age 24) 30 0 Czech Republic Slovan Liberec v.  Liberia, 14 October 2024
MF Ramón Boho (2001-08-30) 30 August 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea 15 de Agosto [es] v.  Liberia, 14 October 2024
MF Álex Balboa (2001-03-06) 6 March 2001 (age 23) 16 0 Netherlands Almere City v.  Togo, 9 September 2024
MF José Fidel Sipi (2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 23) 4 0 Zambia MUZA v.  Togo, 9 September 2024
MF Joanet (1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 (age 25) 10 1 Spain Atlètic Lleida v.  Malawi, 10 June 2024
MF Gerardo Dougan (2001-10-05) 5 October 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea 15 de Agosto [es] v.  Malawi, 10 June 2024
MF Federico Nsue (1997-04-20) 20 April 1997 (age 27) 4 0 Moldova Bălți 2024 FIFA Series
MF Raúl Constantino Ondo (2000-03-02) 2 March 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Equatorial Guinea Diablo Rojo 2024 FIFA Series
MF Basilio Rieno (2004-11-16) 16 November 2004 (age 20) 2 0 England Burnley U21 2024 FIFA Series
MF Adriano Nguema (2003-06-12) 12 June 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea 15 de Agosto [es] 2024 FIFA Series WD
MF Niko Kata (1993-01-15) 15 January 1993 (age 31) 14 0 Spain Formentera 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Mansueto Nguema (1997-04-17) 17 April 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Equatorial Guinea The Panthers 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Iban Salvador (1995-12-11) 11 December 1995 (age 28) 47 8 Poland Wisła Płock v.  Liberia, 14 October 2024
FW Óscar Siafá (1997-09-12) 12 September 1997 (age 27) 16 0 Malta Birkirkara v.  Malawi, 10 June 2024
FW Pedro Oba (2000-05-18) 18 May 2000 (age 24) 16 5 Benin Loto-Popo 2024 FIFA Series
FW Salomón Obama (2000-02-04) 4 February 2000 (age 24) 16 1 Andorra Ràngers 2024 FIFA Series
FW Noé Ela (2003-04-17) 17 April 2003 (age 21) 6 0 Spain Alavés C 2024 FIFA Series
FW José Nabil Ondo (2005-11-23) 23 November 2005 (age 19) 3 0 Equatorial Guinea Cano Sport 2024 FIFA Series
FW Cristian Makaté (2002-09-21) 21 September 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Belgium Union SG U23 2024 FIFA Series
FW Armando Juan Mañé (1992-09-19) 19 September 1992 (age 32) 4 0 Equatorial Guinea Atlético Semu 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Adrián Garrido (2001-11-18) 18 November 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Spain Mallorca B 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Aitor Lorá (1996-12-17) 17 December 1996 (age 27) 1 0 Italy Bisceglie 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Pedro Martín Ela (2004-06-04) 4 June 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea 15 de Agosto [es] 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Previous squads

[edit]

Records

[edit]
As of 10 June 2024[34]
Players in bold are still active with Equatorial Guinea.

Most appearances

[edit]
Federico Bikoro is Equatorial Guinea's most capped player with 59 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Federico Bikoro 59 6 2013–present
2 Basilio Ndong 54 0 2016–present
3 Pablo Ganet 51 5 2013–present
4 Josete Miranda 47 3 2015–present
Iban Salvador 47 7 2015–present
5 Emilio Nsue 45 22 2013–2024
6 Felipe Ovono 44 0 2011–2019
7 Ivan Zarandona 40 2 2003–2017
8 Iban Iyanga 39 4 2010–2018
Viera Ellong 39 3 2007–2022
9 Esteban Obiang 37 1 2017–present
10 Jesus Owono 35 0 2019–present

Top goalscorers

[edit]
Emilio Nsue is Equatorial Guinea's top scorer with 22 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Emilio Nsue 22 45 0.49 2013–2024
2 Juvenal Edjogo Owono 9 40 0.23 2003–2015
3 Iban Salvador 7 43 0.16 2015–present
4 Federico Bikoro 6 55 0.11 2013–present
5 Pedro Oba 5 14 0.36 2017–present
Javier Balboa 5 32 0.16 2007–2017
Pablo Ganet 5 45 0.11 2015–present
8 Rodolfo Bodipo 4 15 0.27 2003–2013
Iban Iyanga 4 39 0.1 2010–2018
10 Juan Epitié 3 13 0.23 2003–2012
Pedro Obiang 3 17 0.18 2018–present
Thierry Fidjeu 3 19 0.16 2011–2014
Luis Nlavo 3 22 0.14 2019–present
Saúl Coco 3 25 0.12 2017–present
Viera Ellong 3 39 0.08 2007–2022
Josete Miranda 3 44 0.07 2015–present

Competition records

[edit]

FIFA World Cup

[edit]
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1966 Part of  Spain Part of  Spain
1970 to 1986 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1990 to 1998 Did not enter Did not enter
South Korea Japan 2002 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 5
Germany 2006 2 1 0 1 1 2
South Africa 2010 6 1 0 5 4 10
Brazil 2014 8 1 2 5 9 17
Russia 2018 2 1 0 1 1 2
Qatar 2022 8 4 3 1 8 6
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 4 1 0 3 1 7
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total – 0/9 – – – – – – 32 9 5 18 26 49

Africa Cup of Nations

[edit]
Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 to Ethiopia 1968 Part of  Spain
Sudan 1970 to Egypt 1986 Not affiliated to CAF
Morocco 1988 Withdrew
Algeria 1990 Did not qualify
Senegal 1992 to Tunisia 1994 Did not enter
South Africa 1996 Withdrew
Burkina Faso 1998 to Ghana Nigeria 2000 Did not enter
Mali 2002 to Angola 2010 Did not qualify
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 2012 Quarter-finals 7th 4 2 0 2 3 5
South Africa 2013 Did not qualify
Equatorial Guinea 2015 Fourth place 4th 6 2 3 1 5 5
Gabon 2017 Did not qualify
Egypt 2019
Cameroon 2021 Quarter-finals 7th 5 2 1 2 3 4
Ivory Coast 2023 Round of 16 10th 4 2 1 1 9 4
Morocco 2025 Qualified
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined
2029
Total Fourth place 4/34 19 8 5 6 20 18

African Nations Championship

[edit]
African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 1
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009 Did not enter
Sudan 2011
South Africa 2014 Did not qualify
Rwanda 2016
Morocco 2018 Group stage 15th 3 0 0 3 1 7
Cameroon 2020 Did not qualify
Algeria 2022
Total Group stage 1/7 3 0 0 3 1 7

Honours

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Regional

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  • CEMAC Cup
    • Winners (1): 2006
    • Runners-up (1): 2009

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Equatorial Guinea forfeited their first two matches of the group for fielding an ineligible player.[32] The original results were Equatorial Guinea 1–0 Namibia and Liberia 0–1 Equatorial Guinea.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Equatorial Guinea - List of International Matches". RSSSF. 5 June 2006. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Angola to host 2010 Nations Cup". bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 4 September 2006. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2006.
  5. ^ a b "Nuevo Estadio de Malabo". stadiumguide.com. The Stadium Guide. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Balboa dá vitória à Guiné Equatorial" [Balboa gives the victory to Equatorial Guinea]. abola.pt. A Bola. 21 January 2012. Archived from the original on 23 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  7. ^ "Africa Cup of Nations: Equatorial Guinea in quarters as Senegal crash out". bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 25 January 2012. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  8. ^ "Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia book quarter-final slot". bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 29 January 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  9. ^ "Ivory Coast 3−0 Equatorial Guinea". espn.com. ESPN. 4 February 2012. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  10. ^ "Orange CAN 2012 Best XI". cafonline.com. Confédération Africaine de Football. 12 February 2012. Archived from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  11. ^ "Afcon 2021 Qualifiers: Tanzania didn't collapse against Equatorial Guinea - Ndayiragije | Goal.com". Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  12. ^ "Cara y cruz para Alavedra y Ganet". 19 November 2019. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Equatorial Guinea leaves it late to beat Libya in Cairo | CAFOnline.com". Archived from the original on 13 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Libya loses 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea | The Libya Observer". Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  15. ^ Stevens, Rob (16 January 2022). "Equatorial Guinea stun holders Algeria". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  16. ^ Stevens, Rob (20 January 2022). "Equatoguineans through as Sierra Leone out". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Equatorial Guinea shock Mali on penalties". BBC Sport. 26 January 2022. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  18. ^ "African football's integrity is undermined, by Mark Gleeson". WorldSoccer.com. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  19. ^ "Volante Neto é convocado pela Seleção de Guiné Equatorial" [Midfielder Neto is called for the national team of Equatorial Guinea] (in Portuguese). Barretos Esporte Clube. 10 March 2013. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  20. ^ "Bermúdez es convocado a la Selección de Guinea Ecuatorial : Diario Centinela" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  21. ^ "Equatorial Guinea sanctioned for fielding ineligible player". FIFA. 19 July 2013. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  22. ^ a b c Dunbar, Graham (3 June 2024). "FIFA ruling shows AFCON star Emilio Nsue was ineligible for entire career with Equatorial Guinea". Associated Press. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Equatorial Guinea ANC Puma Home Shirt 2012". Football Shirts. 22 January 2012. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  24. ^ "Equatorial Guinea reach semi-finals after late penalty enrages Tunisia". The Guardian. 31 January 2015. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  25. ^ "E.Guinea stun Tunisia, Nigeria's race with Cape Verde gets down to wire - Africa - Sports - Ahram Online". Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Equatorial-guinea-stun-tunisia-to-clinch-totalenergies-afcon-ticket-morocco-defe". Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Tunisia national football team: Record v Equatorial Guinea". Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  28. ^ Iván Zarandona (27 January 2015). "¡Esto es un sueño!". Cadena SER (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024. The victory has an added meaning, beyond the qualification because we gave great joy to our people. For them, beating Gabon is as if we had already won the Africa Cup of Nations. It is a very strong rivalry and it was noticeable in the atmosphere before and, of course, after the match. Many children have been able to take pride in their country, after enduring with the mockery of other Gabonese kids for a long time.
  29. ^ "Alberto Edjogo: "El fútbol une a gente muy diversa. Es la única institución africana que lo hace"" (in European Spanish). 9 November 2019. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2024. After playing against Morocco, I played a tie with Gabon. And in the weeks before the match, people explained to me the history of Equatorial Guinea relations with Gabon. They told me that they are two neighboring countries, and that there are disputed territories, a controversy aggravated by the suspicion that there is oil there. They accused Gabon of illegally occupying Equatoguinean territory. And we had to play against them in a qualifier for the Olympic Games. By going to play, you were almost doing a state mission. Equatoguineans had gone to Gabon, for many years, to do the worst and lowest paid jobs. And winning a match on their field was vindicating the role of the Equatoguineans. It was quite a challenge...
  30. ^ "Encounters between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Los componentes de 2005 de los jugadores del combinado nacional, el Nzalang Nacional. Están los seleccionados y los preseleccionados". Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Equatorial Guinea must default wins in World Cup qualifying over same ineligible player as in 2013". apnews.com. Associated Press. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  33. ^ @SportssEge (8 November 2024). "📋 OFICIAL: ¡Convocatoria de Guinea Ecuatorial para los últimos partidos de la fase clasificatoria de la Copa África 2025!

    Nzalang Nacional 🇬🇶 se enfrentará a Argelia 🇩🇿 el día 14/11 en Malabo y el 17/11 se verá las caras con Togo 🇹🇬 en Lomé

    #AfricanFootball
    #AFCON2025"     (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Equatorial Guinea - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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