By Metohuey Michael Adoglo
After finishing the 2015 edition at home in a historic fourth place, Equatorial Guinea returns to the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations by facing twice Champions Côte d’Ivoire, who last won the title in the same 2015 edition.
The Group E matchday 1 game will take place in Douala on Wednesday as the momentum gathers gradually in Cameroon.
A tough task Lies ahead of The Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea as they Face two time Champions Ivory Coast. To ensure there is no doubt, Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President Teodoro Obiang Nguema has Pledged 200million XAF Franc for Each Game Won in CAN, he made the Statement through a tweet.
“After having spoken to the with the captain of the Nzalang National mens Team, I have found myself with the moral obligation, as an Equatorial Guinean, to contribute 200million XAF Francs on a personal Level for each game won during the CAN Tournament”
Tras haber hablado con el capitán de la selección Nzalang Nacional masculino,me he visto en la obligación moral,como ecuatoguineano de contribuir a nivel personal con 200 millones de francos XAF Por cada partido ganado durante la CAN
— teddy nguema (@teonguema) January 10, 2022
The Players and Staff feel confident of doing well in the competition. Assistant coach, of Equatorial Guinea Castro Nopo has expressed their confidence, while speaking to the press –he said;
“We are not afraid of any team. We are like the other 23 teams here and we will defend our chances. Cote d’Ivoire is a great team, but the last time we played against them it was a 1-1 draw. This AFCON will be very special for everyone. It’s a great competition and just because we’re going to play the tournament outside our country doesn’t mean we don’t have ambitions”.
The only previous encounter between Equatorial Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire in the Africa Cup of Nations was in the quarterfinals of the 2012 tournament – Côte d’Ivoire won 3-0.
The Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself, so they can do Equatorial Guineans proud and of course bag that prize money promised by their Vice President.
The game kicks off January 12, 2022
Time: 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT)
Venue: Japoma Stadium, Douala.
