The bond between Equatorial Guinea to Spain

Last Saturday began 21 African Nations Cup in its 28 edition. At present she is not the current champion, Egypt, after a chaotic qualifying, the former ambassador of the World, South Africa, nor the two teams in the black continent have made more noise than in recent decades: Cameroon, which failed, and Nigeria, vetoed by the president in a controversial and bizarre decision after poor performance of the Flying Eagles at the last World Cup. Whoever it is present in this edition of the CAN is Spain, not with Iniesta, Casillas, Xavi and company, but with a large group of players born in our country, defending the colors of one of the hosts, Equatorial Guinea.

The central African country, one of the smallest on the continent with about 28,000 km2 and a million inhabitants, is home to the African Nations Cup with Gabon. This event is an event for the people of Equatorial Guinea, not in vain is the first major competition contesting the National Nzalang (Thunder National), as it is known Guinean selection: never before had played the African Nations Cup, let alone a World Cup. The country is focused with your team and everything that is not reached with the available means is covering himself with the illusion of being able to show the world the evolution of football Equatorial Guinea.

Equatorial Guinea is a presidential republic framed within a dictatorial. The government of President Teodoro Obiang, is considered one of the most repressive in the world, starring the usual unequal distribution of wealth of African countries. It is difficult to separate in Equatorial Guinea sports policy, which was a Spanish colony until 1968, when it achieved independence. This led to a complete instability in the country with the coming to power of Francisco Macias, who took two years to impose a dictatorship.

From that period survives the Castilian as the official language with French, Portuguese and some indigenous languages. Because of the oppression of the dictatorship, first with and then with Obiang Macias (which came to power in 1979 and was trained in Franco's Spain, specifically in the Military Academy of Zaragoza), many were those who decided to emigrate to Spain. Their children were born in the Peninsula and that's how the link came today joins with Spanish Guinean football. In fact, there are 35 players of Guinean origin now play in our football. Of these, ten are present in the CAN .

Perhaps the best known is Rodolfo Bodipo, Equatorial father, now plays for Deportivo Coruna with a long history, reaching its best moments wearing the shirts of Racing and Alaves. Another famous face is that of Javier Balboa, Madrid squad Equatorial Guineans and parents who came to play with the first team. After wearing the shirts of Racing, Benfica, Albacete and Cartagena, now reunited with his best football at the Beira Mar, the first Portuguese. And is that the Racing goes with Guinea in the African Cup, besides the two mentioned, Ivan Bolado, Betis squad that reached score big goals with the team quiet, contained in the National Nzalang playmaker. Today military in Cartagena.

Less brilliant was the passage of Juvenal by Sardinero. It was one of the signings and just enjoyed Piterman minutes racinguista midfield. But today is one of the mainstays of Sabadell, one of the revelations of the Liga Adelante, accumulating eight years as a reference on the African side: he brings the touch and vision. In addition, Quique Cantabrian Setién and brothers Oscar and Vicente Engonga, a man of Equatorial Guinea, have targeted the African side. The rest of them have not played at first, but Randy, end of the UD Las Palmas, are attributed to good condition, as well as Fabiani, six-foot forward who wears the shirt of Alcoyano even in second division.

Two plays in Segunda B, Sipo in Badajoz and eked in San Roque de Lepe, while Evuy Kily and do it in third in the Langreo and Villaviciosa, respectively. In addition to those present at the meeting in Africa, two illustrious players like Zarandona brothers have worn the shirt several times Equatorial Guinea, especially Benjamin, who today continues to enjoy soccer in Valladolid Iscar, a land that was his best football, and has actively contributed Guinean football development not only in the grass, but also through donations. Like Ivan Bolado, Benjamin repeatedly wore the shirt of the Spanish team ranks.

However it has not been easy the Spanish presence in the African Nations Cup. Just a month ago, Equatorial Guinea had no coach. The Frenchman Henri Michel, with a whole different career choices in benches, resigned citing interference in their work. The reason was their irrational rejection of Spanish players, while nourishing their calls with nationalized players from Gabon and Cameroon. After his resignation, the Brazilian Paulo Gilson took over the team and he returned the Spanish troops.

On Saturday came the debut of Equatorial Guinea was the best way possible: Libya won a great Balboa both . The meeting was held in Bata, the Liberty Stadium, with capacity for 40,000 spectators, a good example of the effort the small African country in its commitment to evolve in the world of football. Endeavor to reach as far as possible in this tournament, but with this CAN have already achieved several victories.

Photos | Pedronchi | FIFA . Com