Though they will surely have incredible home support to rely on, Equatorial Guinea are facing a tough challenge in the opening match of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. The lead-up to the tournament has been a difficult one for the Nzalang Nacional, who saw their previous coach, Henri Michel, quit just over a month ago, citing a lack of support from the country’s football federation and the government meddling in sporting affairs.

Michel’s departure left his Brazilian replacement, Gilson Paulo, having to pick his final squad for the competition just under a week after his first training session. Clearly, the situation is far from ideal. Nevertheless, the players – some of whom were only recently nationalised – won’t just be fighting for national pride as they’ve been promised a one million dollar cash prize to split between them should they defeat their Libyan visitors.

In comparison, the newly nicknamed 'Knights of the Mediterranean' have had a relatively straightforward preparatory period, even though their qualification was anything but that. The main issue for Marcos Paqueta is that Oussama Fazzani’s unexplained withdrawal leaves only two true strikers in the squad, Iheb Boussifi and Ahmed Zuway. That may not be a problem in the first encounter, but could develop into one as the tournament goes forward depending on injuries and suspensions.

Given the extreme challenges they had to surmount during the Libyan revolution in order to make it to their first Afcon since the 2006, the north Africans aren’t likely to be intimidated by the hostile environment at the Bata Stadium.

Equatorial Guinea

Draw! Who wil bet on it?

The Equtoria Guniean president son promise the team $usd1million, if they beat Libya.
If its Nigeria, we will scream thief!

The president is appears to be a dictator and maximum leader, look at the squad, a bunch of hired helps.

2 solid attempts at goal by the hosts and in fact a good goal has just been disallowed.

Libya seems to have run out of ideas.

That goal was a clear goal.
Dont know why it was disallowed.

This match is depressing.

ochukoccna:

That goal was a clear goal.
Dont know why it was disallowed.

Beats me too.

that libya keeper na wayo

he is lucky they disqualified the goal

second half under way

that was a stupid thing to do, this yeye libyan wan comot the Equa Guinea's eye

good ball in but the goalie saw it

choi see nani brother in diving

Please does anyone know the name of the song super sport uses to advertise the afcon 2012 on dstv, the song goes like this africa o africa o my countryland africa africa africa eh.

what a miss . .chei would have been a wonder goal!

wow libya number 20 what a miss!

^
sure

yeah

freekick to libya . .they missed again . . keeper catch am

Where can I watch the games online

na wa for Equatorial guinea oh see miss

youngbest:

Please does anyone know the name of the song super sport uses to advertise the afcon 2012 on dstv, the song goes like this africa o africa o my countryland africa africa africa eh.

Africa - Salif Keita

OMG!!! Libyan keeper can fly oh choii!!!

When is Nigeria playing?

^
3am


libya go soon score    

lots of cry babies for pitch  

heheh fight fight fight!!!

mukina2:

^
3am


libya go soon score    

lots of cry babies for pitch  

Na real 3am. Shey dat pesin dey this kwantry kua?

^
helep me asky am oh

Libya has some good players mehn .

poor number 9

gooooaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll

Equatorial Guinea scores

E don happen!