Equatorial Guinea have sacked their head coach, Juan Micha, and dropped several senior players after a player strike caused the team to miss their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Malawi.
The country’s football authorities confirmed the decision on Sunday, saying that long-serving captain Emilio Nsue and other key players have been expelled from the national team ahead of Monday’s final Group H match against Liberia.
Several regular players had refused to travel for Thursday’s match in Malawi, complaining about poor conditions and unpaid allowances. Their absence forced the team to forfeit the game, leaving Equatorial Guinea at risk of sanctions from FIFA.
In a statement, the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation announced Micha’s dismissal and gave remaining players the chance to recommit to the national team.
“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 read. “Anyone who fails to do so will be considered to have opted out and will no longer be part of the national team.”
Assistant coach Casto Nopo has been appointed interim manager and will lead a newly assembled squad against Liberia.
The updated squad excludes several key players who featured at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Equatorial Guinea shocked hosts Ivory Coast with a 4–0 victory and held Nigeria to a 1–1 draw in their opening match. Despite topping their group, the team were eliminated in the round of 16 by Guinea after conceding a late goal.
Equatorial Guinea have already qualified for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, which begins on 21 December, but are no longer in contention for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America