Equatorial Guinea's unlikely hero Emilio Nsue emerges top AFCON scorer

Emilio Nsue, the captain of Equatorial Guinea, has stolen the spotlight at the Africa Cup of Nations by becoming the leading goal-scorer, overshadowing favorites like Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane.

Nsue’s remarkable performance, netting five goals in the group stage, sets the stage for an exciting last-16 clash against Guinea on Sunday.

With a total of five goals, Nsue has already surpassed the combined goal tally of well-known strikers like Osimhen, Salah, and Mane.

The Equatorial Guinea captain now eyes the possibility of breaking Ndaye Mulamba’s record of nine goals in a single AFCON, a feat achieved by Zaire in 1974.

In an exclusive interview with AFP in Abidjan, Nsue expressed his ambition, stating, “I am ambitious, but to be honest, I would sign a contract right now if it said I would be the top scorer.”

His stellar performance includes a memorable two-goal contribution in a convincing 4-0 victory over the hosts in the final group game, following a spectacular hat-trick against Guinea-Bissau.

Ranked 18th in Africa and with a population of 1.7 million, Equatorial Guinea might not be considered a footballing powerhouse, but their progress over the last decade has been noteworthy. Hosting AFCON in 2012 and 2015, the nation reached the semi-finals in the latter edition, contributing to their rise in the footballing ranks.

Under the guidance of coach Juan Micha, the current Equatorial Guinea side, despite lacking superstar players, boasts an impressive undefeated streak since June 2022. Nsue, often regarded as the team’s closest thing to a superstar, emphasizes the strength of their unity, stating, “We are playing almost eight or nine years together, so we are brothers.”

Born in Mallorca, Spain, Nsue had initially represented Spain at the youth level, winning the Under-21 Euro in 2011. However, he chose to play for Equatorial Guinea at the senior level, driven by a sense of national pride and the persuasion of his father.

Now approaching 35, Nsue dismisses retirement talks, drawing inspiration from his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. Known for his versatility, having played various positions throughout his career, Nsue reflects on his journey from being a wing-back at Middlesbrough to playing as a striker for his national team.

Despite his newfound acclaim at AFCON, Nsue remains content playing for third-tier Intercity of Alicante in Spain. He emphasizes the importance of life outside football, highlighting the pleasant living conditions in Alicante. While open to possibilities, Nsue remains focused on the present, stating, “You never know, maybe tomorrow somebody comes with an offer you can’t refuse, but I don’t really think about that.”