Equatorial Guinea VP hands team Sh39million after Algeria win

Carlos Akapo

Equatorial Guinea's defender Carlos Akapo (right) celebrates with teammates after Equatorial Guinea won their Group E 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) match against Algeria at Stade de Japoma in Douala on January 16, 2022.
 

Photo credit: Charly Triballeau | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Meanwhile an Equatorial Guinea side ranked 114th in the world and 28th in Africa are now well placed to reach the knockout stages for the third time.
  • The two previous occasions came when they were hosting the tournament, in 2012 and in 2015, but this time many of the fans in the crowd of almost 12,000 in Douala were supporting the 'National Thunder'.

Equatorial Guinea Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue has rewarded the national football team Sh39 million (US$350,000) after their win over defending champions Algeria.

Esteban Obiang's 70th-minute goal gave Equatorial Guinea the victory and brought Algeria's 35-game unbeaten record crashing to an end on Sunday night.

"We feel very proud to beat the best team in Africa," said Equatorial Guinea coach Juan Micha.

The 2019 Cup of Nations winners could only draw 0-0 with Sierra Leone in their opening game in Cameroon and are now left needing to beat Ivory Coast in their final Group E outing on Thursday if they are to advance to the last 16.

Meanwhile an Equatorial Guinea side ranked 114th in the world and 28th in Africa are now well placed to reach the knockout stages for the third time.

The two previous occasions came when they were hosting the tournament, in 2012 and in 2015, but this time many of the fans in the crowd of almost 12,000 in Douala were supporting the 'National Thunder'.

Equatoguinean capital Malabo, on the island of Bioko, is a short hop over the Gulf of Guinea from Cameroon's economic capital.