The Equatoguinean Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) has indefinitely suspended the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) top scorer and captain Emilio Nsue Lopez and midfielder Ivan Salvador for gross indiscipline at the just-ended tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the federation mentioned a “unpleasant incident” that occurred on January 29 in Abidjan and required the Ivorian police to step in, remaining silent on the actual crime committed.
The incident “caused a major delay in the return of the team to Equatorial Guinea and also tainted its reputation,” according to FEGUIFUT Secretary General Juan Antonio Nguema Mene.
The attacking midfielder for Miedz Legnica is believed to have caused difficulty as the team was checking out of their hotel by accusing the staff of stealing €500 (about Ksh81,000) from him. The statement did not provide any other specifics regarding the event.
The body stated on its website that the disciplinary actions taken against Nsue and Iban are a part of a series of actions taken by the FEGUIFUT executive board after a meeting at its offices in Malabo.
One of the biggest surprises of the 2023 Afcon in Cote d’Ivoire was Equatorial Guinea.
After an incredible effort, the Nzalang Nacional won Group “A,” which featured eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire and runners-up Nigeria.