The head coach of Equatorial Guinea’s senior men’s national team, Juan Micha Obiang is taking his side’s knockout stage encounter with Guinea in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) seriously.
Finishing top of a group that comprises host, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Guinea Bissau, eyes will be on the Nzalang Natcional to cause another major upset.
The team’s 1-1 draw with Nigeria and a resounding 4-0 thrashing puts it top of the log to face third place in Group C, Guinea, a feat Obiang humbly accepts.
“We were not considered as favourite for this competition. We will be entering into this game with lots of humility and prepared for the game like every other game. We are at the knockout stage and don’t expect to go back home,” Obiang told journalists during the pre match press conference in Abidjan on Saturday.
“Tomorrow’s game won’t be easy. Whatever challenge we are going to have, we will make sure to be up to the challenge.
“When we played with Guinea Conakry the last time, most of the players we have now were not present. We will go into the game with all the seriousness required to get into the game. We are also taking into account the strength of our opponents and we will win tomorrow’s game.
“I think our defence is one of the best in this tournament. I think we are going to work defensively knowing that our opponents have strong offensive area. We will try to launch counter attack. They also have pressure on them and desire to go to the quarter final.
“We have studied our opponents knowing that we have an offensive team. They are fast offensively. We have a different play style of possessing the ball.
“My players know what is at stake. We didn’t come here as favourites. We are a family and that really worked so far. The victory that we have had doesn’t mean we are the best. We need to be prudent with every other team. We are a little team and our work is to keep growing. We are at a growing stage and we need to keep this mindset.
“Not losing for some years doesn’t mean that we will stop working. We will continue to work to improve on ourselves and move to the top. It is working on this on daily basis that will help us achieve our aim ad respect our opponents.
“I think all my players are ready for tomorrow. Anything can still happen. For now all the players are ready.
“Our hope is to move to the next stage. Tomorrow we will try to play at our best and then see if we will move to the next stage. What we have in mind is the match for tomorrow.” He concluded.
The winner of the match between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea will meet either Egypt or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the quarter final.
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