Equatorial Guinea national football team facts for kids
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Nickname(s) | Nzalang Nacional (National Thunder) | |||
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Association | Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | UNIFFAC (Central Africa) |
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Head coach | Juan Micha | |||
Captain | Emilio Nsue | |||
Most caps | Felipe Ovono Iván Zarandona (41) |
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Top scorer | Emilio Nsue (13) | |||
Home stadium | Estadio de Malabo | |||
FIFA code | EQG | |||
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FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 148 ![]() |
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Highest | 49 (February 2015) | |||
Lowest | 195 (December 1998) | |||
Elo ranking | ||||
Current | 139 ![]() |
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Highest | 107 (31 January 2015) | |||
Lowest | 187 (March 2003) | |||
First international | ||||
![]() ![]() (China, 23 May 1975) |
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Biggest win | ||||
![]() ![]() (Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; 4 September 2016) |
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Biggest defeat | ||||
![]() ![]() (Congo, 13 December 1990) |
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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.
Contents
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
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
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 FIFA World Cup qualification 13 November | Equatorial Guinea ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea | ||
17:00 UTC+1 | https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400209472 | Stadium: Estadio de Malabo Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali) |
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2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 16 November | Mauritania ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Nouakchott, Mauritania | ||
19:00 UTC±0 | https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400209470 | Stadium: Stade Olympique de Nouakchott Referee: Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius) |
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2022
2021 AFCON 12 January | Equatorial Guinea ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Douala, Cameroon | ||
20:00 | https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243275/match-report |
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Stadium: Japoma Stadium Referee: Rédouane Jiyed (Morocco) |
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2021 AFCON 16 January | Algeria ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Douala, Cameroon | ||
20:00 | https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243277/match-report | Stadium: Japoma Stadium Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala) |
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2021 AFCON 20 January | Sierra Leone ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Limbe, Cameroon | ||
https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243279/match-report | Stadium: Limbe Stadium Referee: Mohamed Marouf Eid Mansour (Egypt) |
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2021 AFCON Round of 16 26 January | Mali ![]() |
0–0 (5–6 pen)
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Limbe, Cameroon | ||
https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243293/match-report | Stadium: Limbe Stadium Referee: Bakary Gassama (Gambia) |
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Penalties | ||||||
*A. N. Traoré ![]()
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2021 AFCON QF 30 January | Senegal ![]() |
3–1 | ![]() |
Yaoundé, Cameroon | ||
20:00 | https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243297/match-report | Stadium: Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium Referee: Victor Gomes (South Africa) |
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Friendly 23 March | Guinea-Bissau ![]() |
3–0 | ![]() |
Óbidos, Portugal | ||
Embalo ![]() Camará ![]() |
Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Óbidos |
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Friendly 28 March | Equatorial Guinea ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Rio Maior, Portugal | ||
https://www.ojogo.pt/internacional/africa/noticias/selecao-angolana-defronta-guine-bissau-e-guine-equatorial-em-data-fifa-14642651.html | ||||||
2023 AFCON qualification 2 June | Tunisia ![]() |
4–0 | ![]() |
Radès, Tunisia | ||
20:00 UTC+1 |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/02/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/tunisia/equatorial-guinea/3783068/ | Stadium: Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi) |
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2023 AFCON qualification 6 June | Equatorial Guinea ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea | ||
20:00 UTC+1 |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/06/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/equatorial-guinea/libya/3783070/ | Stadium: Estadio de Malabo Referee: Blaise Yuven Ngwa (Cameroon) |
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Friendly 23 September | Equatorial Guinea ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Casablanca, Morocco | ||
17:00 | https://www.flashscore.com/match/Yiee9KC0/#/match-summary/match-summary | |||||
Friendly 27 September | Equatorial Guinea ![]() |
2–2 | ![]() |
Casablanca, Morocco | ||
15:00 |
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https://www.flashscore.com/match/Cls2wDd6/#/match-summary/match-summary | ||||
2023
2023 AFCON qualification March | Equatorial Guinea ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Equatorial Guinea | ||
--:-- UTC+1 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/19/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/equatorial-guinea/botswana/3783073/ | |||||
2023 AFCON qualification March | Botswana ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Botswana | ||
--:-- UTC+2 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/botswana/equatorial-guinea/3783075/ | |||||
2023 AFCON qualification September | Equatorial Guinea ![]() |
v | ![]() |
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2023 AFCON qualification September | Libya ![]() |
v | ![]() |
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Coaches
- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
Manuel Sanchís Martínez (1980)
Julio Raúl González (1989–90)
Pedro Mabale (199?–1998)
Jesús Martín Dorta (1999)
Raúl Eduardo Rodríguez (2000)
Juan Carlos Bueriberi Echuaca (2000–200?)
Francisco Nsi Nchama (2002)
Jesús Martín Dorta (2003)
Óscar Engonga (2003)
Adel Amrouche (2004)
Antônio Dumas (2004–2006)
Quique Setién (2006)
Jordan de Freitas (2007–2008)
Vicente Engonga (2008–2009)
Carlos Diarte (2009–2010)
Casto Nopo (2010)
Henri Michel (2010)
Casto Nopo (2011)
Gílson Paulo (2012)
Andoni Goikoetxea (2013–2014)
Esteban Becker (2015–2017)
Casto Nopo (2017)
Franck Dumas (2017–2018)
Casto Nopo (2018)
Ángel López (2018–2019)
Casto Nopo (2019)
Dani Guindos (2019)
Sébastien Migné (2019–2020)
Juan Micha &
Casto Nopo (2020)
Juan Micha (2021–present)
Coaches of local-based national team
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 |
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1 | GK | Aitor Embela | 17 April 1996 (aged 25) | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
12 | GK | Miguel Eyama | 8 July 1998 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
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2 | DF | Miguel Ángel Mayé | 8 December 1995 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | DF | José Elo | 21 October 2000 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Cosme Anvene (captain) | 3 March 1990 | 15 | 0 | ![]() |
11 | DF | Basilio Ndong | 17 January 1999 | 34 | 0 | ![]() |
16 | DF | Vicente Esono | 30 October 2002 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
20 | DF | Jorge Akapo | 21 November 1992 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
21 | DF | Esteban Obiang | 7 May 1998 | 18 | 1 | ![]() |
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4 | MF | Federico Bikoro | 17 March 1996 | 40 | 5 | ![]() |
6 | MF | Joanet | 1 March 1999 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
8 | MF | Pedro Obiang | 27 March 1992 | 13 | 3 | ![]() |
10 | MF | Josete Miranda | 22 July 1998 | 33 | 2 | ![]() |
14 | MF | Cristián Nzang | 27 July 1990 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
17 | MF | José Nze | 3 April 1992 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
19 | MF | Jesús Mansogo | 10 August 1997 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
22 | MF | Gael | 21 December 2003 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
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7 | FW | Jordan Gutiérrez | 8 July 1998 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
9 | FW | Salomón Obama | 4 February 2000 | 14 | 1 | ![]() |
15 | FW | Acasio Obama | 11 December 1995 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
18 | FW | Óscar Siafá | 12 September 1997 | 11 | 0 | ![]() |
23 | FW | Armando Juan Mañé | 19 September 1991 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
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 |
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GK | Manuel Sapunga | 23 November 1992 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Jesús Owono | 1 March 2001 | 17 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Felipe Ovono | 26 July 1993 | 41 | 0 | ![]() |
2021 Africa Cup of Nations |
GK | Mariano Mba | 3 August 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2021 Africa Cup of Nations |
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DF | Luis Enrique Nsue | 16 January 1998 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Marvin Anieboh | 26 August 1997 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Néstor Senra | 4 January 2002 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Javier Akapo | 3 September 1996 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Cristian Ebea | 2 February 2001 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Carlos Akapo INJ | 12 March 1993 | 28 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Luis Meseguer | 7 September 1999 | 14 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Saúl Coco INJ | 9 February 1999 | 14 | 2 | ![]() |
2021 Africa Cup of Nations |
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MF | Pablo Ganet | 4 November 1994 | 33 | 4 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Rubén Belima | 11 February 1992 | 30 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Santiago Eneme | 29 September 2000 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Álex Balboa | 6 March 2001 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Jannick Buyla | 6 October 1998 | 13 | 1 | Unattached | v. ![]() |
MF | Niko Kata | 15 January 1993 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Jimmi Ekua INJ | 21 November 1999 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Silvestre Mba | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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MF | Iban Salvador INJ | 11 December 1995 | 32 | 4 | ![]() |
2021 Africa Cup of Nations |
MF | José Machín | 14 August 1996 | 20 | 0 | ![]() |
2021 Africa Cup of Nations |
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FW | Dorian Jr. | 12 May 2001 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Pedro Oba | 18 May 2000 | 12 | 4 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Emilio Nsue | 30 September 1989 | 34 | 13 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Celesdonio Abeso | 15 August 1998 | 5 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Wenceslao Afugu | 16 September 1992 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Luis Nlavo INJ | 30 November 2002 | 10 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
INJ Withdrew due to injury |
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.
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Competition records
FIFA World Cup record
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
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Part of ![]() |
Part of ![]() |
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Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |||||||||
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
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6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 10 | ||||||||||
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8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 17 | ||||||||||
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
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8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 6 | ||||||||||
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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 | ||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
![]() ![]() |
Part of ![]() |
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![]() ![]() |
Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
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Withdrew | |||||||
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Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not enter | |||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | |||||||
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Did not enter | |||||||
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Quarter-finals | 7th | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
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To be determined | |||||||
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Total | Fourth place | 3/33 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 14 |
African Nations Championship record
Honours
- CEMAC Cup: 1
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- 2006
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Guinea Ecuatorial para niños