Equatorial Guinea edge Kyrgyzstan in friendly

Josete Miranda’s first half penalty kick was the only goal as Equatorial Guinea held out for a 1-0 friendly victory over Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Türkiye.

The winger based in Greece won the spot kick with a clever turn in the penalty area before being tripped up. He proceeded to send the goalkeeper the wrong way for the only goal of the match.

Equatorial Guinea utilized a team that is looking towards the future, with tenured stars such as Emilio Nsue and Salvador Iban Édu left out during a period of transition for the national team.

Nzalang Nzalang got off to an energetic start, and provided the first moment of note in the 7th minute when Federico Bikoro drew a save with his long range effort after winning the ball outside the Kyrgyz box.

But the Central Asian team wrestled control of the match for long stretches in the first half before Nzalang Nzalang caught them on the break. Close to halftime, Miranda ran onto a ball played down the left wing before his quick turn caught the opposing defender off guard and led to a foul in the box.

After halftime, it was Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga who was the standout player for Nzalang with multiple saves as Kyrgyzstan maintined control for the majority of the second half.

 

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Juan Micha’s charges did well to keep a clean sheet and now will prepare for their second friendly of the FIFA window against Madagascar on March 31.