Equatorial Guinea : Emilio Nsue sanctioned by the federation for disciplinary issues
Emilio Nsue, the top scorer of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, has been suspended by the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) until further notice. With five goals to his name, the Intercity Alicante forward, playing in the Spanish third division, was one of the standout performers of the AFCON.
The decision to suspend Emilio Nsue comes as a result of several serious disciplinary incidents, according to the official statement, highlighting a breach between the player and the ethical standards established by the federation.
According to various rumors, the 34-year-old athlete exhibited star behavior, frequently denigrated the national team’s equipment, threatened to leave on multiple occasions, and had several verbal altercations with the president of the federation.
Meanwhile, Iban Edu, another key member of the team, has also been suspended following an incident involving the local police in Abidjan during the competition. The attacking midfielder from Miedz Legnica in Poland allegedly caused disturbances when the team was leaving their hotel, accusing the staff of stealing 500 euros from him. This event exacerbated tensions within the team, leading to a deterioration of the national team’s reputation and image, according to FEGUIFUT.
The suspension of these two key players marks a turning point for Equatorial Guinea, especially after a remarkable campaign at the 2023 AFCON, where the team impressed with a crushing 4-0 victory over the eventual champions, Ivory Coast, before being eliminated in the round of 16 against Guinea (0-1).
This is a strong move by FEGUIFUT, willing to do without two key players as important deadlines approach, including the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June. Nsue’s suspension, in particular, sends a strong message about the importance of exemplary behavior, both on and off the field, in high-level sports, regardless of one’s sporting performance (22 goals in 43 appearances since his debut for the national team in 2013). It remains to be seen how long these sanctions will last and if they might hasten Nsue’s international retirement given his age.
