AFCON: Equatorial Guinea captain Nsue ends self-imposed exile

Emilio Nsue will return to the Equatorial Guinea national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The veteran striker was on a self-imposed banishment after the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fiasco against Malawi, which the Nzalang Nacional failed to honor.

Nsue was absent from recent call-ups due to events that forced him to step away from the team for a while. With the return of Juan Micha as head coach of the national side, the forward confirmed that he will be part of the squad to compete in the 2025 AFCON.

“After all this time, I have come to the conclusion that, as one of the captains, I think it is time to send a message of humility. The past is the past. I think we have to focus on this beautiful present, which is this Africa Cup of Nations. The national team unites the country, and that is what makes us the happiest,” said Nsue.

He captained his national team in two AFCON’s, the latest being in 2023 where he won the Golden Boot award.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet your #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 Puma Golden Boot winner with 5️⃣ goals;

🇬🇶 Emilio Nsue López 🇬🇶@pumafootball pic.twitter.com/wyDT9cuHz8

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) February 12, 2024

Nsue, 36, missed out on recent friendly games in Turkey against Kenya and Madagascar. The recent revelation of the captain will be warmly welcomed by the Equatoguinean Football Federation.

The Nzalang will kick off their AFCON campaign against Burkina Faso on December 23.