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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 1 (18 July 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, whom 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 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]
Main article: Equatorial Guinea–Tunisia football rivalry

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]
6 September 2023 AFCON qualification Libya  1–1  Equatorial Guinea Benina, Libya
21:00 UTC+2
  • Taqtaq 80'
 Report
Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium
Referee: Mahamat Alhadj Allaou (Chad)
Assistant referees: Issa Yaya (Chad)
Assistant referees: Bogola Issa (Chad)
Fourth official: Alfred Armi Pousri (Chad)
13 October Friendly Equatorial Guinea  0–0  Burkina Faso Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Report Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
15 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Equatorial Guinea  0–3
Awarded[note 1]		  Namibia Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
14:00 UTC+1
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 Equatorial Guinea  4–2  Guinea-Bissau Abidjan, Ivory Coast
14:00
Report
Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
22 January 2023 AFCON 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)

Coaching staff

[edit]
Position Name
Head coach Equatorial Guinea Juan Michá
Assistant coach Equatorial Guinea Casto Nopo
Goalkeeping coach Equatorial Guinea Benjamín Olo
Doctors Equatorial Guinea Galo Ela
Spain Guillermo José Guerra
Physiotherapists Spain José María López
Equatorial Guinea Boyebote Masa
Spain Pablo Hernández García
Delegate Equatorial Guinea Daniel Ebendeng
Physical trainers Equatorial Guinea José Víctor Nchama
Utility man Equatorial Guinea Levi Ela
Assistant utility man Equatorial Guinea José Marcos Mituy
Nutritionist Equatorial Guinea Úrsula Esono
Security representative Equatorial Guinea Juan Ricardo Ela

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 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Tunisia and Malawi on 5 and 10 June 2024, respectively.[33]

Caps and goals updated as of 10 June 2024 after the match against Malawi.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Jesús Owono (2001-03-01) 1 March 2001 (age 23) 30 0 Spain Alavés
13 1GK Marcos Ondo (2000-08-13) 13 August 2000 (age 24) 5 0 Equatorial Guinea Cano Sport Academy
23 1GK Manuel Sapunga (1992-11-23) 23 November 1992 (age 31) 3 0 South Africa Polokwane City
2 2DF Néstor Senra (2002-01-04) 4 January 2002 (age 22) 7 0 Spain Atlético Antoniano
3 2DF Richi (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Ebenezer
11 2DF Basilio Ndong (1999-01-17) 17 January 1999 (age 25) 49 0 Romania Universitatea Craiova
12 2DF Charles Ondo (2003-10-22) 22 October 2003 (age 20) 4 0 Unattached
15 2DF Carlos Akapo (captain) (1993-03-12) 12 March 1993 (age 31) 39 2 United States San Jose Earthquakes
16 2DF Saúl Coco (1999-02-09) 9 February 1999 (age 25) 25 3 Italy Torino
20 2DF José Elo (2000-10-21) 21 October 2000 (age 23) 4 1 Finland AC Oulu
21 2DF Esteban Obiang (1998-05-07) 7 May 1998 (age 26) 31 1 Romania Argeș Pitești
24 2DF Jhonny Andonis (2004-11-17) 17 November 2004 (age 19) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea 15 de Agosto
4 3MF José Fidel Sipi (2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 23) 4 0 Zambia MUZA
5 3MF Omar Mascarell (1993-02-02) 2 February 1993 (age 31) 2 0 Spain Mallorca
7 3MF Joanet (1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 (age 25) 10 1 Spain Atlètic Lleida
8 3MF Jannick Buyla (1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 25) 25 2 Spain Tarazona
10 3MF Álex Balboa (2001-03-06) 6 March 2001 (age 23) 15 0 Netherlands Almere City
14 3MF Pedro Obiang (1992-03-27) 27 March 1992 (age 32) 17 3 Italy Sassuolo
22 3MF Pablo Ganet (1994-11-04) 4 November 1994 (age 29) 45 5 Spain Mérida
25 3MF Gerardo Dougan (2001-10-05) 5 October 2001 (age 22) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea Fundación Bata
6 3MF Iban Salvador (1995-12-11) 11 December 1995 (age 28) 43 7 Poland Wisła Płock
9 4FW Óscar Siafá (1997-09-12) 12 September 1997 (age 26) 16 0 Unattached
17 4FW Josete Miranda (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26) 44 3 Greece Iraklis Thessaloniki
18 4FW Dorian Jr. (2001-05-12) 12 May 2001 (age 23) 14 0 Spain Marbella
19 4FW Luis Nlavo (2001-07-09) 9 July 2001 (age 23) 22 3 Portugal Moreirense

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 Miguel Eyama (1998-07-08) 8 July 1998 (age 26) 8 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Mongomo 2024 FIFA Series
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 Cosme Anvene (1990-03-03) 3 March 1990 (age 34) 19 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Unidad 2024 FIFA Series
DF Luis Meseguer (1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 (age 24) 15 1 Spain Las Rozas 2024 FIFA Series
DF Vicente Esono (2002-10-30) 30 October 2002 (age 21) 8 0 Morocco Wafaa Riadi Fassi 2024 FIFA Series
DF Cristian Ebea (2001-02-02) 2 February 2001 (age 23) 3 0 Spain Rayo Majadahonda 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 Rafael Nguema 1 0 Equatorial Guinea Bata City Sport 2024 FIFA Series
DF Marvin Anieboh (1997-08-26) 26 August 1997 (age 26) 12 0 Spain Don Benito 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Hugo Buyla (2005-03-08) 8 March 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Italy Atalanta Youth 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Diosdado Mbele (1997-04-08) 8 April 1997 (age 27) 33 0 Equatorial Guinea Leones Vegetarianos 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Miguel Ángel Mayé (1995-12-08) 8 December 1995 (age 28) 14 0 Equatorial Guinea Fundación Bata 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
DF Luis Enrique Nsue (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 (age 26) 8 0 Unattached v.  Burkina Faso, 13 October 2023
MF Federico Bikoro (1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 (age 28) 53 6 Unattached v.  Tunisia, 5 June 2024 PRE
MF Santiago Eneme (2000-09-29) 29 September 2000 (age 23) 26 0 Czech Republic Slovan Liberec 2024 FIFA Series
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 Deportivo Mongomo 2024 FIFA Series
MF Basilio Rieno (2004-11-16) 16 November 2004 (age 19) 2 0 England Burnley U21 2024 FIFA Series
MF Adriano Nguema 0 0 Equatorial Guinea EDSA 2024 FIFA Series WD
MF José Machín (1996-08-14) 14 August 1996 (age 28) 27 0 Italy Monza 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Niko Kata (1993-01-15) 15 January 1993 (age 31) 14 0 Spain Cerdanyola 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Gael Joel Akogo (2003-12-21) 21 December 2003 (age 20) 3 0 Spain Albacete B 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Mansueto Nguema (1997-04-17) 17 April 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea Cano Sport 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Jesús Mansogo (2001-08-16) 16 August 2001 (age 23) 5 0 Morocco TAS Casablanca v.  Libya, 6 September 2023
FW Pedro Oba (2000-05-18) 18 May 2000 (age 24) 16 5 Equatorial Guinea 15 de Agosto 2024 FIFA Series
FW Salomón Obama (2000-02-04) 4 February 2000 (age 24) 16 1 Unattached 2024 FIFA Series
FW Noé Ela (2003-04-17) 17 April 2003 (age 21) 6 0 Unattached 2024 FIFA Series
FW José Nabil Ondo (2005-11-23) 23 November 2005 (age 18) 3 0 Equatorial Guinea Cano Sport Academy 2024 FIFA Series
FW Cristian Makaté (2002-09-21) 21 September 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Belgium Union SG U23 2024 FIFA Series
FW Armando Juan Mañé (1992-09-19) 19 September 1992 (age 31) 4 0 Equatorial Guinea Atlético Semu 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Adrián Garrido (2001-11-18) 18 November 2001 (age 22) 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 FC 15 de Agosto de Akonibe 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 55 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Federico Bikoro 55 6 2013–present
2 Basilio Ndong 49 0 2016–present
3 Juvenal Edjogo Owono 45 9 2003–2015
Pablo Ganet 45 5 2015–present
5 Emilio Nsue 44 22 2013–present
Josete Miranda 44 3 2015–present
Felipe Ovono 44 0 2011–2019
8 Iban Salvador 43 7 2015–present
9 Iván Zarandona 40 2 2003–2017
10 Iban Iyanga 39 4 2010–2018
Viera Ellong 39 3 2007–2022

Top goalscorers

[edit]
Emilio Nsue is Equatorial Guinea's top scorer with 22 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Emilio Nsue 22 44 0.5 2013–present
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 To be determined
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027
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

[edit]
2006

Notes

[edit]
  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. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 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.
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  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.
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