Coach, players fired after Equatorial Guinea failed to show up for World Cup qualifier

Equatorial Guinea has sacked coach Juan Micha and kicked out several key players after a strike prevented the team from traveling to Malawi for a World Cup qualifier, with the country now facing possible sanctions from world football body FIFA.

Several regular players, including veteran captain Emilio Nsue, have also been removed from the squad for the final Group H qualifier against Liberia on Monday, officials said on Sunday.

Key players refused to travel for their penultimate group qualifying tournament last Thursday, citing ongoing complaints about conditions and money, after which the coach and some players were dropped 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 who have been called up for these FIFA matches and who believe they can continue to defend their country the opportunity to put their names on a list,” the statement said.

“Otherwise, anyone who does not do this will be deemed to have withdrawn and will no longer be part of the national team.”

A new selection has now been appointed for Monday’s match, with Casto Nopo appointed as interim coach.

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The list excludes many players who were part of the squad for the last Cup of Nations, where Equatorial Guinea caused a sensation by beating hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 in the group stage.

The result was hailed as the biggest shock in Cup of Nations history and followed an upset 1-1 draw against 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 then eliminated in the last 16 by a final goal for Guinea.

Since then, Equatorial Guinea have qualified for the upcoming Cup of Nations final in Morocco, which starts on December 21, but are ineligible for a place at next year’s World Cup.

Published on October 12, 2025