Nzalang Nacional, deputy trainer Casto Nopo Abeso says the difference in their match day 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Botswana on Friday will be made in terms of quality.
Equatorial Guinea hosts the Zebras of Botswana on Friday in Malabo, hoping to get a win that will keep them on track to qualification for another edition of the prestigious continental tournament.
Ahead of the game, coach Casto Nopo met the media this Thursday in Malabo. During the gaffer accept the tag of favorites.
“yes, we are favourites. First, we play at home, and second, the level of players we have, the opposing team doesn’t have. As you have said, most of our players are active in the big European leagues, in Spain, France, Italy, in different places, which suggests that if we set up the game well tomorrow, we will have a good result,” Casto is quoted by milaang.com.
Equatorial Guinea was sensational during the last AFCON tournament in Cameroon due to this quality. The rest rise is largely due to the telling inputs of José Machín, Carlos Akapo and Pedro Obiang who propelled their nation to new heights but unfortunately are missing the upcoming games due to fitness issues. Casto like other Nzalang Nacional fans regret their absence but says they can cope without them.
We didn’t have Pedro in Cameroon. We won against Libya here without Pedro and Machín. The team responded 100%, and we won the match. We regret their absence, because we wanted them to be here, but they are not with us. We will defend ourselves with what we have. In fact there are 25 players. And we believe in all of them. We are going to get a good result,” coach Juan Micha Obiang’s deputy added.
Tunisia lead group J by a point while Equatorial Guinea share the second spot alongside Libya with three points each and Botswana are fourth with a point.
The Equatorial Guinea Squad;
Goalkeepers:
Manuel Sapunga Mbara (Polakwane City-South Africa), Jesús Lazara Owono (Alavés-Spain) and Aitor Mbela Gil (UD Zomoras).
Defenders:
Saúl Basilio Coco (UD La Palmas- Spain), Carlos Akapo (San José Eat-USA), Miguel Ángel Maye (future Kings-local), Esteban Orozco (Chindia-Romania), Charles Nduwuisi Ondo (Huddersfield Town-England) , José Elo Ayeto (CD Navalcarnero- Spain), Basilio Owono Ndong (Universitae Craiova-Romania) and Cosme Anvene (DVO Unit-local).
Midfielders:
Luis Miguel Nlavo (Sporting Prague-Portugal), Santiago Eneme Bokari (Nantes B-France), Federico Bikoro (Sendefjord-Norway), Alejandro Balbao (Alavés-Spain), José Miranda Boacho (Niki Volos-Greece), Pablo Ganet Comitre ( Real Murcia-Spain), Adrián Garrilo Martínez (Andratx- Spain) and Joan López Elo (Sabadell-Spain),
Forwards:
Juan José Siafa Etoa (Niki Volos-Greece), Yannick Buyla Sam (CD Badajoz-Spain), Iban Salvador Edu (CF Fuenlabrada- Spain), Dorian Hanza Meha (Leganés-Spain), Emilio Nsue López (Intercity-Spain) and Gael Joel Akogo (Cano Sport-local).
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