Football

Coach, players fired after Equatorial Guinea fail to pitch for World Cup tie

October 13, 2025 3:08 pm

[Source: Reuters]

Equatorial Guinea have fired coach Juan Micha and kicked out several key players after a strike meant the team failed to travel to Malawi for a World Cup qualifier, with the country now facing possible sanctions from world football body FIFA.

Several regulars, including veteran captain Emilio Nsue, have also been removed from their squad for their last Group H qualifier against Liberia on Monday, officials said on Sunday.

Key players refused to travel for their penultimate group qualifier last Thursday, citing continual complaints over conditions and money, after which the coach and some players were kicked out of the squad.

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Micha’s dismissal was confirmed in a social media post from the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation.

“The Ministry of Sports has given players called up for these FIFA matches who believe they can continue to defend their country the opportunity to put their names on a list,” the statement added.

“Otherwise, anyone who doesn’t do so will be deemed to have opted out and will no longer be part of the national team.”

 

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