Friday, July 17, 2026

AFCON 2023: Equatorial Guinea ready to beat Nigeria, says team coach 

“Football in Africa is different, it is more physical but there is no pressure.”

• January 13, 2024
Juan Michá and Jesús Owono
Juan Michá and Jesús Owono

Ahead of their opening game against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Sunday, the head coach of the Elephants of Equatorial Guinea, Juan Michá, says the country’s objective is to achieve success at the African Cup of Nations.

During the pre-match press conference in Abidjan on Saturday, Michá said the team, which he described as a “family”, has prepared adequately and are ready to work together to achieve success at the tournament.

“First and foremost, we do not call it a team, we call it a family. So, we have conducted adequate preparation ahead of the tournament and we are expected to come together to achieve success at the tournament,” he said.

Speaking about the game against Nigeria tomorrow, Michá said: “We are proud to be here and we want to go further — we are playing one of the best teams in Africa and one of the favourites to win the tournament tomorrow,” he said about the Super Eagles.

However, he said: “We (Equatorial Guinea) have prepared well to record a win.”

Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper, Jesús Owono, who plays for Alaves in Spanish La Liga, said football in Africa is more difficult in Africa because it is more difficult compared to Europe but reiterated he is ready to stop the Nigeria forward line led by Victor Osimhen.

“Football in Africa is different, it is more physical but there is no pressure, no fear and I just want to enjoy the game tomorrow.

“I hope we do great things here and hope my friends and family enjoy and do my best to stop the Nigerian forward,” Owono said.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Kaduna

States

Kaduna peace stakeholders, ACOMORAN partner on community security

According to him, the partnership will enable ACOMORAN members to support peacebuilding by reporting early signs of conflict and suspicious activities.

Andy Burnham

Hot news Home top

Andy Burnham confirmed as UK Labour Party leader, PM-designate

Mr Burnham was confirmed as the LP’s new leader at a special party conference on Friday.

Bashir Adeniyi

Rights

Customs releases N7.61 billion for payment of 4,237 retirees

The NCS announced that the funds had been disbursed to the PFAs for onward payment into the retirees’ individual accounts.

LEGISLATIVE GAVEL

Economy

Court dismisses Bayelsa traditional ruler’s suit against Shell

The Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, dismissed a suit challenging the divestment of Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited from onshore assets.

States

Freed kidnap victims revealed terrorist losses in North-West operations: Army

The army said the victims told troops they were released after sustained military pressure weakened their captors operating from the Rijana forest.

United States President Donald Trump

Heading 4

Trump accuses China of interfering in 2020 election to help Biden win

Mr Trump said China meddled in the 2020 election and that Beijing helped former President Joe Biden win.