Equatorial Guinea have fired Coach Juan Micha and removed several key players after a strike prevented the team from travelling to Malawi for a World Cup qualifier. The country now risks possible sanctions from FIFA.
Several regulars, including veteran captain Emilio Nsue, have also been dropped from the squad for their last Group H qualifier against Liberia today, officials said yesterday.
Key players refused to travel for their penultimate group qualifier last Thursday, citing ongoing complaints over conditions and money. Following the strike, the coach and some players were expelled from the squad.
Micha’s dismissal was confirmed in a social media post from the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation.
“The Ministry of Sports has given players called up for these FIFA matches who believe they can continue to defend their country the opportunity to put their names on a list,” the statement added. “Otherwise, anyone who doesn’t do so will be deemed to have opted out and will no longer be part of the national team.”
A new squad has since been named for today’s match, with Casto Nopo appointed as interim coach.
The list excludes many of the players who featured at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where Equatorial Guinea caused a major sensation by beating hosts Côte d’Ivoire 4-0 in the group stage.
The result was hailed as the biggest shock in AFCON history and followed an upset 1-1 draw with Nigeria in their opening match of the tournament in early 2024.
Equatorial Guinea finished ahead of the two heavyweights in the group standings but were eliminated in the last 16 by a last-minute goal from Guinea.
Since then, Equatorial Guinea have qualified for the upcoming AFCON finals in Morocco, which kick off on December 21, but they are out of contention for a place at next year’s World Cup.
– Supersports
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