It’s difficult to label the Equatorial Guinea national team as a strong and mighty member of the Confederation of African Football. On the contrary, the team shows quite poor results and can’t impress with outstanding achievements. Nevertheless, the recent inflow of Spanish players of Equatoguinean decent gave it the possibility to sparkle on the international scene.
Founded in 1960, The Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol takes charge of the national team. It affiliated to FIFA and CAF in 1986. The team made its international debut on 23 May 1975 in a friendly match against China which they lost 2-6, and didn’t play for ten years after that.
The squad was crowned with success when they finished fourth in the 1987 UDEAC Cup losing on penalties in the consolation match to Gabon. They enjoyed a meteoric rise after winning the CEMAC Cup trophy in 2006.
It’s a tidbit that Equatorial Guinea and Gabon won the right to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012. Thus, Equatoguinean team sewed up an automatic entrance to the championship. They appeared in the opening match of the tournament which ended in a shock 1-0 win over Libya in January 2012. Former Real Madrid winger Javier Balboa brought victory with his fierce strike in the dying minutes of the match. The squad pulled off their participation in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations by reaching quarter-finals.
As of 2012, the team is placed 107th in the FIFA World ranking. Its best ever result was in March 2008 when it reached 64th position.
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