AFCON 2023 highest goalscorer returns as Equatorial Guinea names 2025 squad
AFCON 2023's highest goalscorer, Emilio Nsue, has made his return to African football on the biggest of stages as Equatorial Guinea confirm 2025 squad.
Following the controversy that surrounded his feature in Equatorial Guinea's squad for AFCON 2025, Emilio Nsue has returned for the 2025 edition of the tournament.
Equatorial Guinea head coach Juan Michà has named his final 28-man squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, opting for a mix of experience, leadership and a strong contingent of players based in Europe as Nzalang Nacional target another deep run at the tournament in Morocco.
The Central African side have quietly built a reputation as one of the competition’s most organised teams, reaching the quarter-finals in three of their last four AFCON outings.
What happened to Nsue after AFCON 2023?
Several established faces make up the squad, most notably the return of captain Emilio Nsue. His inclusion, however, has raised eyebrows following the controversy that erupted after AFCON 2023.
Nsue was at the centre of an eligibility scandal that later led to sanctions against Equatorial Guinea, after it emerged that he had been fielded in competitive matches despite unresolved nationality clearance issues.
The situation sparked widespread debate, overshadowed his impressive performances at the tournament, and resulted in disciplinary action from football authorities.
Against that backdrop, Nsue’s recall has come as a surprise to many observers. While his leadership and influence within the squad are unquestioned, his return signals a bold decision by Michà, who appears willing to move past the controversy in favour of experience and continuity as Equatorial Guinea prepare for another AFCON campaign.
Equatorial Guinea's Squad for AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
- Jesús Owono (FC Andorra, Spain)
- Manuel Sapunga (Sekhukhune United, South Africa)
- Aitor Embela (CD Soneja, Spain)
Defenders
- Esteban Orozco (FC Argeș, Romania)
- Marvin Anieboh (UD San Sebastián, Spain)
- Carlos Akapo (Amazonas FC, Brazil)
- Saúl Coco (Torino FC, Italy)
- Basilio Ndong (FC U Craiova, Romania)
- Michel Ngaah (Real Ávila, Spain)
- Néstor Senra (Recreativo Huelva, Spain)
- Charles Ondo (Huddersfield Town, England)
- Javier Muma (Maestro United, Zambia)
Midfielders
- Omar Mascarell (RCD Mallorca, Spain)
- Pablo Ganet (Real Murcia, Spain)
- Alex Balboa (Almere City, Netherlands)
- Alex Masogo (Beroe Stara Zagora, Bulgaria)
- José Machín (FC Cartagena, Spain)
- Pedro Obiang (AC Monza, Italy)
- Santiago Eneme (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic)
Forwards
- Iban Salvador (Wisła Płock, Poland)
- Josete Miranda (Kalamata FC, Greece)
- Gael Akogo (Recreativo Granada, Spain)
- José Nabil (FC Nantes, France)
- Luismi Nvalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China)
- Dorian Junior (Viborg, Denmark)
- Loren Zúñiga (Real Madrid, Spain)
- Emilio Nsue (CF Intercity, Spain)
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