World Cup (Q): Equatorial Guinea suspend coach Michá over aborted Malawi game

Equatorial Guinea national football team’s coach Juan Michá has been suspended following the Nzalang Nacional aborted trip to Malawi for Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) confirms the suspension of the coach who, alongside captain Emilio Nsue, is said to have objected to the decision to travel to Lilongwe on the same day of the Group H World Cup game.

👑 Emilio Nsue no pierde las costumbres goleadoras pic.twitter.com/gbOUX84KU3

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In a statement after holding an emergency meeting on Thursday, FEGUIFUT’s Executive Board accused the duo of having influenced the squad not to fly to Malawi via a chartered flight. Nzalang Nacional were expected to go straight to Bingu National Stadium for the match.

“The Executive Board of the Equatoguinean Football Federation has held an emergency meeting to analyze the decision captivated by the captains of the national team and their coach, Juan Michá, not to travel to Malawi,” the federation’s statement reads.

“Venancio Tomás Ndong Michá and his companions have condemned the decision of Nsue and company to tarnish the image of the country, the FEGUIFUT as well as the national team itself in front of the international community.”

What next now for Juan Michá after Equatorial Guinea’s aborted trip to Malawi?

The federation, which claims it did its part including chartering a plane to Malawi, has since reported the matter to the government for action.

“The Board did all the logistical work as well as the economic forecast sending everything to the Ministry, which equally approved the document. Despite everything, the Government and FEGUIFUT consider a disrespect from the players of Nzalang and their coach to the people of Equatorial Guinea,” the statement reads.

“From this situation the Executive Board of the FEGUIFUT has taken a couple of measures to resolve this situation and all relevant decisions have been transferred immediately after hours to the Ministry of Sports, and at the recommendation of the sports authorities FEGUIFUT have transmitted similarly such measures to the national team at their concentration hotel.”

Nsue is no stranger to controversy. The Spanish-born striker returned to the national team in March after FIFA had lifted his suspension. The world football governing body had banned the AFCON top scorer for six months last May after establishing that he did not complete his nationality switch from Spain to Equatorial Guinea.

Nzalang Nacional risk forfeiting their points which Malawi might benefit from. Both teams are banking on a remote play-offs qualification route to the World Cup. The Flames’ could take their tally to 13 points if awarded the maximum points from the aborted game. Malawi could end up finishing on 16 points if they beat Sao Tome Principe on Monday.

Malawi sit in third place with 10 points at par with Equatorial Guinea. Already qualified Tunisia lead the table with 22 points while Sao Tome Principe occupy the bottom seat without a point in eight games.

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