Two Nigerian defenders named in Equatorial Guinea AFCON squad
Equatorial Guinea has officially included Charles Ondo and Marvin Anieboh both defenders with Nigerian roots, in their squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Nzalang Nacional’s head coach, Juan Micha Obiang, unveiled the squad for the biennial competition on Sunday, confirming Ondo and Anieboh’s participation.
Born in Madrid, Spain, with a Nigerian father and Equatorial Guinean mother, the 20-year-old player is a dual national also eligible to represent Spain and England.
Ondo received his first call-up to the Equatorial Guinea national team for the AFCON 2023 qualifiers against Botswana and made his debut as a left-back on September 6, 2023 for his mother’s country.
Born in Madrid to a father who hails from the Urhobo-speaking tribe of Nigeria and an Equatoguinean mother, CD Illescas central defender Marvin Anieboh has also been named in the Equatorial Guinea squad.
The 26-year-old has already played in eleven matches for Equatorial Guinea, including ten starts.
Equatorial Guinea 27-man AFCON squad
Goalkeepers: Jesus Lazaro Owono, Manuel Sapunga, Aitor Mbela Gil
Defenders: Basilio Ndong Owono, Carlos Akapo Martinez, Hugo Buyla Sam, Charles Ondo, Saúl Basilio Coco, Marvin Anieboh, Nestor Senra, José Elo Ayeto, Esteban Orozco
Midfielders : Yannick Buyla, Luis Miguel Nlavo, Alex Balboa Banderas, Federico Bikoro, Iban Salvador Edu, José Machin Dicombo, Santiago Eneme Bocari, José Miranda Boacho, Pablo Ganet Comitre, Federico Nguema
Strikers: Noe Nsue Ela, Emilio Nsue Lopez, Salomon Asumu Obama, Oscar Siafa, José Nabil Ondo
Equatorial Guinea finds itself in Group A alongside Nigeria, hosts Cote d’Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau in what promises to be a competitive group stage during the AFCON tournament.
Both players could face their father’s country Nigeria if selected for their first group game on January 14, 2024.
