Equatorial Guinea's national team captain and 2023 AFCON highest goal scorer Emilio Nsue Lopez, has announced his retirement from international football.
The 34-year-old took the decision a week after his suspension due to a fallout with the management of the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation.
What happened?
The Equatorial Guinea Football Governing Board suspended Nsue from the national team last week over what they described as 'several episodes of serious indiscipline' during the just concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Equatorial Guinea federation said the 24-year-old had been involved in a 'horrible event' in Abidjan on January 29, the day after the country's 1-0 loss to Guinea which saw them crash out of the tournament.
However, Nguema Mbasogo, their FA president said Ivorian police had to intervene in the incident which delayed the squad's return to Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile, Emilio Nsue countered the accusation and responded to the allegations via his official Instagram page.
The former Real Mallorca and Middlesbrough player accused authorities of financial mismanagement and corruption.
Nsue said; "Before the match against Nigeria, the players did not have any outfits ready. The equipment used in the national team is paid by the players and not the federation".
He added; "These cancerous and corrupt people who manage football in Equatorial Guinea took 1 million euros for themselves by leaving the national team in bad conditions".
The forward retires as the country's all-time top scorer with 22 goals.
Nsue's last contribution was in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations where he finished as the top scorer with five goals
His departure signifies the end of an era, and the football community is left evaluating the immeasurable influence Nsue had on the national team, coupled with the controversies that contaminated his final chapter in international football.
Nsue not only led the Equatorial Guinean team to the 2023 AFCON but also emerged as the tournament’s top scorer, showcasing his attacking prowess.
The 34-year-old’s remarkable contributions were highlighted by his five goals in four matches, including a memorable hat-trick when the Nzalang Nacional defeated the hosts (Coast d'Ivoire) 4-0 in the group stage.
Nsue’s skill, agility, and goal-scoring ability were instrumental in shaping Equatorial Guinea’s success in the 2023 AFCON.
He led the Equatorial Guineans to a respectable round-of-16 finish at the tournament, after finishing first in a group containing eventual finalists Nigeria and winners Ivory Coast.
2023 Afcon's highest goalscorer quit International football, what's your take on this? Share your thoughts with us below:
The 34-year-old took the decision a week after his suspension due to a fallout with the management of the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation.
What happened?
The Equatorial Guinea Football Governing Board suspended Nsue from the national team last week over what they described as 'several episodes of serious indiscipline' during the just concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Equatorial Guinea federation said the 24-year-old had been involved in a 'horrible event' in Abidjan on January 29, the day after the country's 1-0 loss to Guinea which saw them crash out of the tournament.
However, Nguema Mbasogo, their FA president said Ivorian police had to intervene in the incident which delayed the squad's return to Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile, Emilio Nsue countered the accusation and responded to the allegations via his official Instagram page.
The former Real Mallorca and Middlesbrough player accused authorities of financial mismanagement and corruption.
Nsue said; "Before the match against Nigeria, the players did not have any outfits ready. The equipment used in the national team is paid by the players and not the federation".
He added; "These cancerous and corrupt people who manage football in Equatorial Guinea took 1 million euros for themselves by leaving the national team in bad conditions".
The forward retires as the country's all-time top scorer with 22 goals.
Nsue's last contribution was in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations where he finished as the top scorer with five goals
His departure signifies the end of an era, and the football community is left evaluating the immeasurable influence Nsue had on the national team, coupled with the controversies that contaminated his final chapter in international football.
Nsue not only led the Equatorial Guinean team to the 2023 AFCON but also emerged as the tournament’s top scorer, showcasing his attacking prowess.
The 34-year-old’s remarkable contributions were highlighted by his five goals in four matches, including a memorable hat-trick when the Nzalang Nacional defeated the hosts (Coast d'Ivoire) 4-0 in the group stage.
Nsue’s skill, agility, and goal-scoring ability were instrumental in shaping Equatorial Guinea’s success in the 2023 AFCON.
He led the Equatorial Guineans to a respectable round-of-16 finish at the tournament, after finishing first in a group containing eventual finalists Nigeria and winners Ivory Coast.
2023 Afcon's highest goalscorer quit International football, what's your take on this? Share your thoughts with us below: