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equatorial guinea Coach Juan Mecha has been sacked and several key players have been sidelined as the team failed to travel to Malawi for World Cup qualifiers due to the strike, with the country now facing possible sanctions from world football body FIFA.
Several regular players, including veteran captain Emilio Nsu, have been dropped from the squad for their last Group H qualifier against Liberia on Monday, officials said on Sunday.
Key players refused to travel for their final group qualifier last Thursday, citing persistent complaints over conditions and money, leading to the coach and some players being dropped from the squad.
Mika’s dismissal was confirmed in a social media post from the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation.
“The Sports Ministry has given players called up for these FIFA matches the opportunity to put their names on the list who they believe can continue to defend their country,” the statement said.
“Otherwise, anyone who does not do so will be considered out and will no longer be part of the national team.”
A new squad has been announced for Monday’s match, with Casto Nopo appointed interim coach.
The list does not include several players who were in the squad at the last Nations Cup, where Equatorial Guinea caused a huge sensation by beating hosts Ivory Coast 4–0 in the group stage.
The result was seen as the biggest shock in Cup of Nations history and led to a 1–1 draw with Nigeria in the tournament’s opening match in 2024.
Equatorial Guinea finished ahead of the two giants in the group standings, but were then eliminated in the last 16 by a last-gasp goal from Guinea.
Since then, Equatorial Guinea has qualified for the upcoming Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, which begins on December 21, but have fallen out of the running for a place at next year’s World Cup.
reuters