Thursday, July 16, 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.”

Scene of the incident

Africa

Eleven children killed, 19 injured in Algeria orphanage fire

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune described the tragedy as a huge loss. 

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State

Heading 2

Kano empowers 1,900 butchers, to establish cottage industry hubs

He said the government had already made provision for the establishment of the hubs in the 2026 budget. 

IG Olatunji Disu

Heading 3

2027 Elections: Police commence recovery of illegal arms nationwide

Mr Kokumo said the centre had destroyed more than 16,000 unserviceable weapons since its inception.

FRSC personnel on highway

Heading 5

Court restrains FRSC from operating on Kano township roads

Mr Hikima sued the commission for unnecessarily stopping, searching and questioning him and other motorists. 

President Donald Trump

Heading 5

White House teleprompter operator rakes in over $100,000 betting on Trump’s speeches: Report

Investigators discovered Mr Perez placed bets on more than a dozen of Mr Trump’s speeches over a three-month period. 

Hot news Home top

Kidnapped Kogi school principal, NECO official, students regain freedom

Gunmen, on Tuesday, abducted a principal, NECO official and students during exam in Kogi school.