Equatorial Guinea may not belong to Africa’s traditional football powerhouses, but over the years the team has earned a reputation as a true tournament specialist. Often underestimated, the Nzalang Nacional have repeatedly managed to rise above themselves and deliver unforgettable moments. With a mix of fighting spirit, tactical awareness and strong team cohesion, they have grown into an opponent no one can take lightly. The Africa Cup 2025 promises yet another stage where Equatorial Guinea can show why they have captured the hearts of so many fans.
- Nickname: Nzalang Nacional
- Head coach: Juan Micha
- Football Association: Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol
- AFCON appearances: 4 times
- FIFA ranking: 92
Equatorial Guinea’s Match Schedule
Equatorial Guinea have been drawn into Group E, alongside Algeria, Burkina Faso and Sudan. Below is their full group stage schedule, including dates, times and venues. So you know exactly when to follow Nzalang Nacional.
| 24 December | Group stage |
 Burkina Faso Equatorial Guinea | 2 1 |
| 28 December | Group stage |
Equatorial Guinea Sudan | 0 1 |
| 31 December | Group stage |
Equatorial Guinea Algeria | 1 3 |
Stats Equatorial Guinea AFCON 2025
Top scorer
| # | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Emilio Nsue | 1 |
| 2. | Marvin Anieboh | 1 |
Assists
| # | Player | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Carlos Akapo | 1 |
| 2. | Alex Balboa | 1 |
Rating
| # | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Luís Asué | 7,0 |
| 2. | José Machín | 7,0 |
| 3. | Emilio Nsue | 6,8 |
| 4. | Esteban Orozco | 6,7 |
| 5. | Pablo Ganet | 6,6 |
| 6. | Omar Mascarell | 6,6 |
| 7. | Carlos Akapo | 6,6 |
| 8. | Santiago Eneme | 6,6 |
| 9. | Iban Salvador | 6,6 |
| 10. | Marvin Anieboh | 6,5 |
Equatorial Guinea Squad
Keepers:
Jesús Owono (FC Andorra), Manuel Sapunga (Sekhukhune United), Aitor Embela (Soneja)
Defenders:
Esteban Orozco (FC Arges), Marvin Anieboh (UD Sanse), Carlos Akapo (Amazonas), Saúl Coco (Torino), Basilio Ndong (FK Tirana), Prince Ngaah (Real Ávila), Néstor Senra (Recr. Huelva), Charles Ondo (Portland), Javier Mum (Maestro United)
Midfielders:
Jannick Buyla (CD Numancia), Omar Mascarell (RCD Mallorca), Pablo Ganet (Persita), Álex Masogo (Beroe), Álex Balboa (CD Lugo), José Machín (Vis Pesaro), Pedro Obiang (AC Monza), Santiago Eneme (Sparta Praag)
Attackers:
Iban Salvador (Wisla Plock), Josete Miranda (PS Kalamata), Gael Akogo (Recre Granada), Jose Nabil (Nantes), Luis Asué (SH Shenhua), Dorian Hanza (Viborg FF), Loren Zúñiga (Real Madrid Castilla), Emilio Nsue (CF Intercity)
Head Coach Equatorial Guinea
Juan Micha is the architect of modern Equatorial Guinea. His approach is built on trust, team unity, and flexibility. Known for his pragmatic tactics and ability to maximize his squad’s potential, Micha has transformed the Nzalang Nacional into a stubborn and dangerous opponent for Africa’s elite teams.
Star Player Equatorial Guinea
Iban Salvador, also known as Iban Edú, is the heartbeat of the national team and currently plays for Wisła Płock in Poland’s top division. His career has included stints in Spain with Valladolid, Fuenlabrada and Celta B, before moving to Poland in 2024. Since making his international debut in 2015, Salvador has become a cornerstone of the national side, amassing over 50 caps and scoring 9 goals.
What sets Salvador apart is not just his technical skill and vision but also his charisma and presence on the pitch, often highlighted by his trademark pink hairstyle. During AFCON 2021 in Cameroon, he was named Man of the Match twice (against Algeria and Sierra Leone) and proved decisive in the penalty shootout victory over Mali in the knockout stage. His combination of determination, technical finesse and leadership makes him the driving force of the Nzalang Nacional.
Equatorial Guinea AFCON History
Since their AFCON debut in 2012, Equatorial Guinea have repeatedly made headlines as one of the continent’s surprise packages. Despite not being part of Africa’s traditional elite, the Nzalang Nacional have delivered some of the tournament’s most memorable stories.
As co-hosts in 2012, they enjoyed a dream debut, reaching the quarterfinals thanks in part to a historic victory over Senegal in the group stage. Three years later, in 2015, they once again hosted and went even further, advancing to the semifinals after a dramatic quarterfinal win against Tunisia.
After missing a few editions, Equatorial Guinea returned in 2021 and once again impressed. They stunned reigning champions Algeria in the group stage and reached the quarterfinals, solidifying their reputation as a fearless tournament team.
Road to AFCON 2025
Equatorial Guinea booked their ticket to the 2025 tournament by finishing second in a tough qualifying group behind Algeria. They collected eight points from six matches, with crucial wins over Liberia and an important draw against the favorites, Algeria. Despite suffering a heavy defeat to Togo, the Nzalang Nacional showed resilience and efficiency at key moments, securing yet another place on Africa’s biggest stage.
| Thursday 5 September 2024 | |
| Algeria Equatorial Guinea | 2 0 |
| Monday 9 September 2024 | |
Equatorial Guinea Togo | 2 2 |
| Friday 11 October 2024 | |
Equatorial Guinea Liberia | 1 0 |
| Monday 14 October 2024 | |
| Liberia Equatorial Guinea | 1 2 |
| Monday 11 November 2024 | |
| Equatorial Guinea Algeria | 0 0 |
| Tuesday 19 November 2024 | |
| Togo Equatorial Guinea | 3 0 |
| Team | PTS | G | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 16 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +14 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -3 |
| Togo | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -3 |
| Liberia | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -8 |
Stats
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Luis Asué | 2 |
| 2. | Jannick Buyla | 1 |
| 3. | Iban Salvador | 1 |
| 4. | Dorian Hanza | 1 |
Assists
| Player | Assists | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Luis Asué | 1 |
| 2. | Iban Salvador | 1 |
| 3. | Basilio Ndong | 1 |
Players Rating
| Player | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Saúl Coco | 7,5 |
| 2. | Basilio Ndong | 7,2 |
| 3. | Jesús Owono | 7,1 |
| 4. | Iban Salvador | 7,1 |
| 5. | Josete Miranda | 7.1 |
| 6. | Luis Asué | 7,1 |
| 7. | Carlos Akapo | 6,9 |
| 8. | Pedro Obiang | 6,9 |
| 9. | José Machín | 6,9 |
| 10. | Omar Mascarell | 6.8 |