Equatorial Guinea’s national team captain, Emilio Nsue Lopez, has announced his retirement from international football following a week of suspension by the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation (Feguifut).
The decision comes after a tumultuous period marked by a dispute between Nsue and the federation’s management. Last week, Feguifut suspended Nsue from the national team due to what they termed “several episodes of serious indiscipline” during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Côte d’Ivoire.
The federation cited an incident in Abidjan on January 29, the day following Equatorial Guinea’s 1-0 defeat by Guinea, which led to the team’s exit from the tournament. According to Feguifut, Ivorian police intervention was necessary, causing a delay in the squad’s return to Equatorial Guinea.
Nsue responded to the allegations via his official Instagram page, leveling accusations of financial mismanagement and corruption against the federation’s authorities.
The 34-year-old, who retired as Equatorial Guinea’s all-time top scorer with 22 goals, had a significant impact on the national team. His last major tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations, saw him finish as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
Nsue’s retirement signifies the end of an era for Equatorial Guinea’s football community. Despite the controversies that marked his final chapter, Nsue’s contributions to the national team were undeniable. His leadership and goal-scoring prowess were pivotal during the 2023 AFCON, where he led Equatorial Guinea to a commendable round of 16 finish.
Notably, Nsue’s standout performance included a memorable hat-trick in a 4-0 victory over the hosts during the group stage. His skill, agility, and scoring ability were instrumental in shaping Equatorial Guinea’s success throughout the tournament, where they finished second in a group containing eventual finalists Nigeria and winners Côte d’Ivoire.
As Nsue bids farewell to international football, his legacy as a top scorer and influential leader will endure, leaving a lasting imprint on Equatorial Guinea’s footballing history.
