Equatorial Guinea’s national team captain Emilio Nsue Lopez has launched a scathing attack on the country’s football authorities, exposing a series of distressing incidents that he claims have led to his and midfielder Ivan Edu Salvador’s suspension from the national squad.
The accusations come in the wake of the duo’s suspension by the Equatoguinean Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) for alleged gross indiscipline during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Equatoguinean federation (Feguifut) said the 28-year-old had been involved in an “unpleasant incident” in Abidjan on 29 January – the day after the side’s 1-0 defeat by Guinea which saw them exit the tournament.
Feguifut said Ivorian police had to intervene and the incident delayed the squad’s return to Equatorial Guinea.
Nsue, who emerged as the top scorer at AFCON 2023 with five goals, has brought to light financial mismanagement within the federation.
He alleges that over €1 million (Ksh154,983,600) from the tournament’s earnings remains unaccounted for, painting a grim picture of neglect and exploitation.
The striker recounted how players were forced to pay for their own equipment and detailed the federation’s failure to clear debts with service providers, including a hotel.
In a heartfelt live Instagram broadcast, Nsue did not mince words as he criticised the lack of support from Equatorial Guinea’s football leaders, particularly during his top scorer award presentation.
“Before the match against Nigeria, the players did not have any outfits ready. The equipment used in the national team is paid by the players and not the federation,” Nsue revealed.
“The FA threatened certain local players and taking money from them but I said, no and this is unfair and they humiliated me and thrown me out. The national team is above everything and everyone.
“They want to change the sports project and bring in Brazilians. You are shameless, we are the tenth best team on the African continent. They take money everywhere, they owe us money and they are stealing it.
“These cancerous and corrupt people who manage football in Equatorial Guinea took 1 million euros for themselves by leaving the national team in bad conditions.
“The only congratulations I received when I got my top scorer award came from the Ivorian authorities. My country has been ungrateful to me,” he lamented, indicating a sense of betrayal and disappointment.
The striker, known for his stints at Birmingham City and Middlesbrough, has made it clear that he will not return to the national team until there are significant changes within the federation.
Equatorial Guinea’s all-time top scorer with 22 goals, Nsue’s absence, along with that of Ivan Salvador, could significantly impact the National Thunder’s performance in their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.