Equatorial Guinea’s head coach Juan Micha has announced the squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Tunisia and Malawi, with star striker Emilio Nsue making a surprising inclusion despite his recent FIFA sanction.
Emilio Nsue, top scorer of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, has been called up for the critical matches on June 5 and June 10.
This decision comes despite the recent controversy surrounding Nsue, who was suspended by FIFA following several scandals involving his national federation.
Nsue, currently with CF Intercity, will spearhead the attack alongside two other forwards.
Coach Micha’s squad selection features a robust midfield lineup, including notable players like Iban Salvador Edu and José Miranda Boacho.
The defensive lineup boasts nine players, among them playmakers Juan Pedro Nsue and Carlos Akapo Martinez.
The goalkeeping duties will remain with the reliable Jesus Lazaro Owono.
The announcement of the squad comes at a crucial juncture for Equatorial Guinea, who face tough opponents in the forthcoming qualifiers.
The matches against Tunisia and Malawi are part of the 3rd and 4th days of the World Cup qualification process.
Equatorial Guinea’s campaign has already faced setbacks due to FIFA’s ruling that their initial two victories were forfeited because Nsue was deemed ineligible to play in those games.
Here is the complete list of selected players for the qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
- Jesus Lazaro Owono
- Manuel Sapunga
- Marcos Luis Ondo
Defenders:
- Saul Basilio Coco
- Juan Pedro Nsue Esono
- Charles Ndueuisi Ondo
- Carlos Akapo Martinez
- Basilio Ndong Owono
- Antonio Martin Nchama
- Nestor Senra
- Jose Elo
- Esteban Orozco
Midfielders:
- Yannik Buyla Sam
- José Fidel Sipi Bita
- Alex Balboa Banderas
- Fédéro Bikoro Akiémé
- Iban Salvador Édu
- José Miranda Boacho
- Gérado Dougan Essomba
- Pedro Mba Obiang
- Comitre Pablo Ganet
- Omar Mascarrell
Forwards:
- Emilio Nsue Lopez
- Dorian Hanza Méah
- Luis Miguel Nlavo
As Equatorial Guinea prepares for these pivotal matches, the inclusion of Nsue adds a layer of complexity and intrigue.
The team’s performance in the upcoming fixtures will be critical in their quest for a spot in the 2026 World Cup, and the onus will be on both the experienced and new players to deliver results on the pitch.
