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Equatorial Guinea national football team facts for kids

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This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Equatorial Guinea women's national football team.
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Equatorial Guinea
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Nzalang Nacional (National Thunder)
Association Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation UNIFFAC
(Central Africa)
Head coach Juan Micha
Captain Emilio Nsue
Most caps Felipe Ovono
Iván Zarandona (41)
Top scorer Emilio Nsue (13)
Home stadium Estadio de Malabo
FIFA code EQG
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 148 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 49 (February 2015)
Lowest 195 (December 1998)
Elo ranking
Current 139 Decrease 17 (3 March 2019)
Highest 107 (31 January 2015)
Lowest 187 (March 2003)
First international
 China PR 6–2 Equatorial Guinea 
(China, 23 May 1975)
Biggest win
 Equatorial Guinea 4–0 South Sudan 
(Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; 4 September 2016)
Biggest defeat
 Congo 6–0 Equatorial Guinea 
(Congo, 13 December 1990)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 3 (first in 2012)
Best result Fourth place (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 three occasions, the first two times as hosts (in 2012 and 2015). They reached the quarter-finals in 2012 and 2021 and finished in fourth place in 2015.

History

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 entering 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.

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.

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

The first game in the 2012 African Cup of Nations was Equatorial Guinea's first 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. In the next game, they secured the qualification for the quarter-finals by beating Senegal 2–1, and finished second in their group after losing 0–1 to Zambia. They progressed to the quarter-finals where they were eliminated by the tournament's runners-up Ivory Coast after losing to The Elephants 3–0 thanks to goals from Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré. 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.

Three years later, Equatorial Guinea organized solely the 2015 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, but on this occasion, it was to replace Morocco, which was the original host. In the opener, they drew 1–1 against Congo, with Emilio Nsue opening the scoring. 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.

AFCON 2022

Equatorial Guinea continued to fail in every qualification in AFCON as the team did not qualify for 2017 and 2019 editions. Likewise, the team had also failed to qualify for 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.

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. 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. After beating Tanzania 1–0 on home soil, Equatorial Guinea managed a historic feat throughout regular qualification for the first time ever in its history.

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. 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.

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 managed to save two of the shots. The result meant that the national team qualified for the quarter finals of AFCON for the third time in their history (the first one advancing from the round of 16). They subsequently lost to eventual champions Senegal, 3-1.

Home stadium

For more details, see Estadio de Malabo
Estadio de Malabo Equatorial Guinea
Estadio de Malabo

Equatorial Guinea's home stadium is Estadio de Malabo in Malabo. It can hold up to 15,250 people. Equatorial Guinea played there when they hosted the 2012 African Cup of Nations During their participation in the tournament, they played in this stadium against eventual winners Zambia and runners-up the Ivory Coast. During the national side's participation in the 2012 African Cup of Nations, they also played in the newly constructed Estadio de Bata, in which they played and won both their games in the stadium against Libya and Senegal.

Kit and colours

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. When Equatorial Guinea is away, they wear all white shirt with blue stripes.

Recent schedule and results

Main page: Equatorial Guinea national football team results (2020–present)

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

      Win       Draw       Loss

2021

2022

2023

Coaches

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
  • Spain Manuel Sanchís Martínez (1980)
  • SpainJulio Raúl González (1989–90)
  • Equatorial Guinea Pedro Mabale (199?–1998)
  • Spain Jesús Martín Dorta (1999)
  • Spain Raúl Eduardo Rodríguez (2000)
  • Equatorial Guinea Juan Carlos Bueriberi Echuaca (2000–200?)
  • Equatorial Guinea Francisco Nsi Nchama (2002)
  • Spain Jesús Martín Dorta (2003)
  • Spain Óscar Engonga (2003)
  • Algeria Adel Amrouche (2004)
  • Brazil Antônio Dumas (2004–2006)
  • Spain Quique Setién (2006)
  • Brazil Jordan de Freitas (2007–2008)
  • Spain Vicente Engonga (2008–2009)
  • Paraguay Carlos Diarte (2009–2010)
  • Equatorial Guinea Casto Nopo (2010)
  • France Henri Michel (2010)
  • Equatorial Guinea Casto Nopo (2011)
  • Brazil Gílson Paulo (2012)
  • Spain Andoni Goikoetxea (2013–2014)
  • Argentina Esteban Becker (2015–2017)
  • Equatorial Guinea Casto Nopo (2017)
  • France Franck Dumas (2017–2018)
  • Equatorial Guinea Casto Nopo (2018)
  • Spain Ángel López (2018–2019)
  • Equatorial Guinea Casto Nopo (2019)
  • Spain Dani Guindos (2019)
  • France Sébastien Migné (2019–2020)
  • Equatorial Guinea Juan Micha & Equatorial Guinea Casto Nopo (2020)
  • Equatorial Guinea Juan Micha (2021–present)

Coaches of local-based national team

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

Players

Current squad

The following players have been called up for a friendly match against Togo on 27 September 2022.

Caps and goals updated as of 27 September 2022 after the match against Togo.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Aitor Embela (1996-04-17)17 April 1996 (aged 25) 9 0 Spain Somozas
12 1GK Miguel Eyama (1998-07-08) 8 July 1998 (age 25) 4 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Mongomo
2 2DF Miguel Ángel Mayé (1995-12-08) 8 December 1995 (age 27) 14 0 Equatorial Guinea Futuro Kings
3 2DF José Elo (2000-10-21) 21 October 2000 (age 23) 1 0 Spain Navalcarnero
5 2DF Cosme Anvene (captain) (1990-03-03) 3 March 1990 (age 33) 15 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Unidad
11 2DF Basilio Ndong (1999-01-17) 17 January 1999 (age 24) 34 0 Norway Start
16 2DF Vicente Esono (2002-10-30) 30 October 2002 (age 21) 5 0 Equatorial Guinea Cano Sport
20 2DF Jorge Akapo (1992-11-21) 21 November 1992 (age 31) 2 0 Equatorial Guinea Atlético Semu
21 2DF Esteban Obiang (1998-05-07) 7 May 1998 (age 25) 18 1 Romania Chindia
4 3MF Federico Bikoro (1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 (age 27) 40 5 Norway Sandefjord
6 3MF Joanet (1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 (age 24) 7 0 Spain Sabadell
8 3MF Pedro Obiang (1992-03-27) 27 March 1992 (age 31) 13 3 Italy Sassuolo
10 3MF Josete Miranda (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 25) 33 2 Greece Niki Volos
14 3MF Cristián Nzang (1990-07-27) 27 July 1990 (age 33) 10 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Mongomo
17 3MF José Nze (1992-04-03) 3 April 1992 (age 31) 1 0 Equatorial Guinea Futuro Kings
19 3MF Jesús Mansogo (1997-08-10) 10 August 1997 (age 26) 5 0 Tunisia US Tataouine
22 3MF Gael (2003-12-21) 21 December 2003 (age 19) 3 0 Equatorial Guinea Cano Sport
7 4FW Jordan Gutiérrez (1998-07-08) 8 July 1998 (age 25) 9 0 Spain Prat
9 4FW Salomón Obama (2000-02-04) 4 February 2000 (age 23) 14 1 Republic of Cyprus Ethnikos Achna
15 4FW Acasio Obama (1995-12-11) 11 December 1995 (age 27) 1 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Unidad
18 4FW Óscar Siafá (1997-09-12) 12 September 1997 (age 26) 11 0 Greece Niki Volos
23 4FW Armando Juan Mañé (1991-09-19) 19 September 1991 (age 32) 3 0 Equatorial Guinea Cano Sport

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Manuel Sapunga (1992-11-23) 23 November 1992 (age 31) 1 0 South Africa Polokwane City v.  Rwanda, 24 September 2022 PRE
GK Jesús Owono (2001-03-01) 1 March 2001 (age 22) 17 0 Spain Alavés B v.  Libya, 6 June 2022
GK Felipe Ovono (1993-07-26) 26 July 1993 (age 30) 41 0 Ethiopia Sidama Coffee 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
GK Mariano Mba (1999-08-03) 3 August 1999 (age 24) 0 0 Equatorial Guinea Deportivo Unidad 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Luis Enrique Nsue (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 (age 25) 4 0 Tunisia EO Sidi Bouzid v.  Rwanda, 24 September 2022 PRE
DF Marvin Anieboh (1997-08-26) 26 August 1997 (age 26) 9 0 Spain Montijo v.  Libya, 6 June 2022
DF Néstor Senra (2002-01-04) 4 January 2002 (age 21) 4 0 Spain Sevilla C v.  Libya, 6 June 2022
DF Javier Akapo (1996-09-03) 3 September 1996 (age 27) 2 0 Spain Montijo v.  Libya, 6 June 2022
DF Cristian Ebea (2001-02-02) 2 February 2001 (age 22) 1 0 Spain Sporting de Gijón B v.  Libya, 6 June 2022
DF Carlos Akapo INJ (1993-03-12) 12 March 1993 (age 30) 28 1 United States San Jose Earthquakes v.  Guinea-Bissau; 23 March 2022 WD
DF Luis Meseguer (1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 (age 24) 14 1 Spain Unión Adarve v.  Guinea-Bissau; 23 March 2022 WD
DF Saúl Coco INJ (1999-02-09) 9 February 1999 (age 24) 14 2 Spain Las Palmas 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Pablo Ganet (1994-11-04) 4 November 1994 (age 29) 33 4 Spain Murcia v.  Libya, 6 June 2022
MF Rubén Belima (1992-02-11) 11 February 1992 (age 31) 30 0 Portugal Rio Maior SC v.  Libya, 6 June 2022
MF Santiago Eneme (2000-09-29) 29 September 2000 (age 23) 14 0 France Nantes B v.  Libya, 6 June 2022
MF Álex Balboa (2001-03-06) 6 March 2001 (age 22) 7 0 Spain Alavés B v.  Libya, 6 June 2022
MF Jannick Buyla (1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 25) 13 1 Unattached v.  Tunisia, 2 June 2022
MF Niko Kata (1993-01-15) 15 January 1993 (age 30) 14 0 Spain Portugalete v.  Angola, 29 March 2022
MF Jimmi Ekua INJ (1999-11-21) 21 November 1999 (age 24) 2 0 Portugal Moncarapachense v.  Angola, 29 March 2022
MF Silvestre Mba 0 0 Equatorial Guinea Leones Vegetarianos v.  Angola, 29 March 2022
MF Iban Salvador INJ (1995-12-11) 11 December 1995 (age 27) 32 4 Spain Fuenlabrada 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
MF José Machín (1996-08-14) 14 August 1996 (age 27) 20 0 Italy Monza 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Dorian Jr. (2001-05-12) 12 May 2001 (age 22) 9 0 Spain Leganés B v.  Rwanda, 24 September 2022
FW Pedro Oba (2000-05-18) 18 May 2000 (age 23) 12 4 Equatorial Guinea Futuro Kings v.  Rwanda, 24 September 2022 PRE
FW Emilio Nsue (1989-09-30) 30 September 1989 (age 34) 34 13 Spain Intercity v.  Libya, 6 June 2022
FW Celesdonio Abeso (1998-08-15) 15 August 1998 (age 25) 5 1 Spain Gran Tarajal v.  Angola, 29 March 2022
FW Wenceslao Afugu (1992-09-16) 16 September 1992 (age 31) 1 0 Equatorial Guinea Leones Vegetarianos v.  Angola, 29 March 2022
FW Luis Nlavo INJ (2002-11-30) 30 November 2002 (age 21) 10 2 Portugal Braga B v.  Guinea-Bissau; 23 March 2022 WD

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

Africa Cup of Nations
  • 2012 Africa Cup of Nations squad
  • 2015 Africa Cup of Nations squad
  • 2021 Africa Cup of Nations squad

Records

Players in bold are still active with Equatorial Guinea.

Competition records

FIFA World Cup record

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 to
England 1966		 Part of  Spain Part of  Spain
Mexico 1970 to
France 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 To be determined
Total – 0/22 – – – – – – 28 8 5 15 25 42

Africa Cup of Nations record

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 to Egypt 2019 Did not qualify
Cameroon 2021 Quarter-finals 7th 5 2 1 2 3 4
Côte d'Ivoire 2023 To be determined
Guinea 2025
Total Fourth place 3/33 15 6 4 5 11 14

African Nations Championship record

African Nations Championship
Appearances: 1
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Côte d'Ivoire 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

  • CEMAC Cup: 1
2006

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Guinea Ecuatorial para niños

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