- In its first participation without hosting, Juan Micha’s team makes history by reaching the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup after kicking out champions Algeria and Mali
- Fifteen players were born in Spain and goalkeeper Owono (Alavés), hero of the round of 16, is one of the 14 enrolled in Spanish football teams
The Equatorial Guinea team, made up of 15 players born in Spain of Guinean origin, once again starred in a historic page this Wednesday in the Africa Cup since, after defeating and sending home the defending champion in the group stage (0 -1), surprised Mali in the round of 16 in an endless shootout of 16 penalties (5-6) that had to be resorted to once regulation time and extra time ended with 0-0.
Now Senegal, runner-up in the previous edition after losing the final against Algeria and led by Sadio Mané (Liverpool), will be the rival of Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, which is participating in an Africa Cup for the first time having achieved classification on the pitch .
In his two previous appearances at the tournament, he did so ex officio: in 2012 as co-host with Gabon and in 2015 he was solo. In 2012 they reached the quarterfinals and in 2015 they finished fourth after losing the consolation match against DR Congo on penalties (0-0 and 4-2).
Now Equatorial Guinea, led by coach Juan Micha, continues to make history thanks to the great performance of Jesús Owono, who saved three penalties in the shootout against Mali. The 20-year-old goalkeeper is one of the 14 players, among the 28 summoned, who play for Spanish clubs, specifically in Alavés. Seven of them started against Mali.
Owono unbeaten in his three matches
In fact, Owono is one of the main reasons why Equatorial Guinea is in the quarterfinals, not only because of his inspiration in said round. Not surprisingly, he has not yet conceded a goal in the three games he has played: 1-0 against Algeria and Sierra Leone in the group stage, which passed as second after Ivory Coast, and 0-0 against Mali.
In the first match, Manuel Sapunga was under the stick, who could not avoid the only goal and defeat (1-0) conceded by Equatorial Guinea in this Africa Cup of Cameroon so far.
Two goals in favor and a solid defense
Defender Esteban Obiang, from Antequera, scored the goal that defeated Riyad Mahrez’s almighty Algeria and midfielder Pablo Ganet, from Murcia, was the executioner of Sierra Leone. Two goals for and one against is the balance of a team that bases its strength on a very solid defense formed by the untouchables Carlos Akapo (Cádiz), Esteban Obiang (Antequera), Saúl Coco (Las Palmas Atlético) and Basilio Ndong ( Start of Norway).
The call is led by captain Emilio Nsue, born in Palma de Mallorca 32 years ago and currently without a team since his contract with APOEL Nicosia of Cyprus ended on June 30. Since the start of his career he has played for Mallorca, Castellón, Real Sociedad, Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Apollon LImassol.
Owono and Carlos Akapo, only two from First
Except for Owono and Carlos Akapo, the rest of the 14 players who represent Spanish football in the Equatorial Guinea team are enrolled in lower divisions. Specifically, they are the defenders Marvin Anieboh (Cacereño), Saúl Coco (Las Palmas At.), Luis Meseguer (Navalcarnero) and Esteban Obiang (Antequera), the midfielders Javier Akapo (UD Ibiza), Álex Balboa (Deportivo Alavés B), Ruben Belima and Federico Bikoro (Hércules) and Jannick Buyla (Gimnàstic Tarragona), Pablo Ganet (Real Murcia) and strikers Dorian Hanza (Langreo) and Iban Salvador (Fuenlabrada).
Owono was born in Equatorial Guinea and Bikoro in Cameroon, but midfielder Josete Miranda and striker Óscar Siafá, who play in Greece, were born in Getafe and Madrid. Emilio Nsue is the 15th player born in Spain who is part of the squad.
former Spanish colony
The presence of this large group of players is explained by the fact that they are descendants of Equatorial Guineans, that is, born in this small Central African country that was a Spanish colony until it gained independence in 1968.
Equatorial Guinea participates for the third time in the final phase of the African Cup and in the previous two the presence, although to a lesser extent, of players born in Spain stood out.
The 28 players Called Up
Goalkeepers: Jesús Owono (Deportivo Alaves B), Manuel Sapunga and Felipe Ovono (Futuro Kings), Mariano Magno (Deportivo Unidad)
Defenders: Carlos Akapo (Cádiz), Marvin Anieboh (Cacereño), Cosme Anvene (Deportivo Unidad), Saúl Coco (Las Palmas Atlético), Miguel Angel Mayé (Futuro Kings), Luis Meseguer (Navalcarnero), Basilio Ndong (Start), Luis Enrique Nsue (Cano Sport), Esteban Obiang (Antequera)
Midfielders: Javier Akapo (Ibiza Islas Pitiusas), Álex Balboa (Deportivo Alavés B), Ruben Belima, Federico Bikoro (both Hércules), Jannick Buyla (Gimnàstic Tarragona), Santiago Eneme (Nantes), Pablo Ganet (Real Murcia), Jose Machin (Monza), Josete Miranda (Niki Volos)
Forwards: Dorian Hanza (Langreo), Luis Nlavo (Sporting Braga), Emilio Nsue (without team), Pedro Oba (Futuro Kings), Iban Salvador (Fuenlabrada), Oscar Siafa (Olympiakos Volos).