Los Elefantes of Equatorial Guinea have showcased glimpses of fine performances despite their limited appearances on the continental stage.
Despite participating only three times in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), they have consistently displayed resilience, never failing to exit the group stage anytime they earn the opportunity to compete.
After decades of unsuccessful attempts to qualify, their breakthrough came when they won a joint bid with Gabon to host the 2012 AFCON. Starting this historic campaign with a win against Libya, thanks to an 87th-minute strike from Javier Balboa, Equatorial Guinea continued with a 2-1 victory over Senegal in their next game. However, they faced a setback against eventual winners Zambia in the third group match and were unfortunate to meet Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals, ultimately being eliminated by Didier Drogba’s brace and Yaya Toure’s strike.
Missing the 2013 edition, they returned as sole hosts in 2015, surprising many by finishing fourth. After drawing with Congo and Burkina Faso, they secured a 2-0 win against Gabon in the final group game, advancing to the knockout stage. They edged Tunisia 2-1 after extra time but fell to the Black Stars in the semifinals, losing on penalties to DR Congo and settling for fourth place—their best AFCON result.
After a six-year hiatus, Equatorial Guinea returned to the competition, impressively reaching the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Senegal after defeating Mali in the round of 16. The Elephants now face a challenging group, including hosts Ivory Coast, three-time champions Nigeria, and Guinea-Bissau.
AFCON 2023 Matches
Sunday, January 14: Nigeria v Equatorial Guinea
Thursday, January 18: Equatorial Guinea v Guinea-Bissau
Monday, January 22: Equatorial Guinea v Ivory Coast
Players to Watch
Emilio Nsue:
- Formerly a key player in Spanish youth teams.
- The versatile 34-year-old currently playing for CF Intercity.
- 18 goals in 38 appearances for Equatorial Guinea, participating in the 2015 and 2021 AFCON tournaments.
Federico Bikoro:
- At 27, holds the record for the most caps for Equatorial Guinea.
- Midfielder from Club Africain with six goals in 43 games.
- Made his major tournament debut in the 2021 AFCON.
Josete Miranda:
- Emerging from his youth career in Spain, a crucial player for Equatorial Guinea.
- 36 caps, two goals, and four assists.
- Participating in his second AFCON, following his contributions to the previous edition in Cameroon.
Coach – Juan Micha:
With some appearances as a player for the national team, 48-year-old Juan Micha has predominantly dedicated his time to managing various Equatorial Guinea national teams, including the women’s sides. His coaching experience extends to a brief stint as an assistant manager for the Spanish side Fuenlabrada. Micha has served as the assistant coach for both the Women’s and Men’s national teams, managed the Women’s U-20 and Men’s U-20, and enjoyed two stints with the U-17 boys’ side. His extensive experience within Equatoguinean football is expected to bring a level of familiarity as the Elephants embark on another campaign in the continental showpiece to be hosted by Ivory Coast next year.
Team Statistics:
Appearances so far: 3
Best Results: Fourth place in 2015
Worst performance: Quarterfinals in 2012 and 2021
Most capped player: Federico Bikoro with 43 appearances
Captain: Emilio Nsue
Top scorer: Emilio Nsue with 18 goals in 38 appearances
The AFCON tournament will start on January 13, 2024 and conclude on February 11.
By Frank Appiah & Enoch Fiifi Forson