2015 Nations Cup: Equatorial Guinea announce squad (original) (raw)

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Equatorial Guinea have included 14 players who were born in Spain in their final 23-man squad for the tournament.

They have in recent years included imports from other countries but were expelled from the Nations Cup qualifiers in July for using ineligible Cameroon-born player Thierry Fidieu.

However, they were restored t the event in November when they agreed to take over as hosts from Morocco, who wanted the finals postponed over their fears of the potential spread of Ebola.

New Equatorial Guinea coach Esteban Becker was appointed on Tuesday and will have less than two weeks to prepare the squad for their opening Group A match against Congo in Bata on 17 January.

His squad includes teenage goalkeeper Aitor Embela, who plays for Malaga's youth team, Ruben Belima from Real Madrid's reserves and Ivan Salvador, a 19-year-old from Valencia B.

Five of the squad made their debut on Wednesday in a warm-up friendly against the Cape Verde Islands in Lisbon.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Aitor Embela (Malaga), Carlos Mosibe (CA Malabo), Felipe Ovono (Deportivo Mongomo)

Defenders: Igor Engonga (CD Tropezon), Dani Evuy, Diosdado Mbele (both Leones Vegetarianos), Miguel Angel Maye (Akonangui), Rui (Hibernians FC), Sipo (AEK Larnaca),

Midfielders: Juvenal Edjogo (Santa Coloma), Viera Ellong Doualla (The Panthers), Pablo Ganet (UD Sanse), Charly Martin (College Europa), Emilio Nsue (Middlesbrough), Randy (Iraklis), Ivan Zarandono (Rangers FC)

Forwards: Javier Balboa (Estoril), Ruben Belima (Real Madrid B), Ivan Bolado (Pune City), Raul Fabiani (Olimpic Xativa), Kike (Mallorca B), Ruben Dario (Leones Vegetarianos), Ivan Salvador (Valencia B).