Things are heating up at the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation (FEGUIFUT). The head of the local body is threatening to resign as president.
Venancio Tomás Ndong Michá could step down as president of the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) on 12 July. This decision is likely to come in the event that Nzalang Nacional are disqualified from qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The draw for the qualifiers is scheduled for Abidjan on 13 July. Equatorial Guinea must settle a debt owed to certain coaches before 12 July. Esteban Becket and Pozanco have been sacked without compensation. Equatorial Guinea now has just 10 days to settle this debt of €2 million or risk not taking part in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA and CAS resolutions make Equatorial Guinea’s participation conditional upon payment of the outstanding debts. Despite the involvement of the Vice-President of the Republic, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the debts remain unpaid. “When people take over institutions, they face challenges. And when things aren’t going well, it’s better to step aside. If the issue of former coaches is not resolved by the government and FIFA, I will feel that I have failed. So I will resign.I will leave my post, I will call for elections and I will not continue to lead this institution,” Ndong Micha told the local press.
As if bidding farewell, the current president of FEGUIFUT once again set out the ambitions that led him to this sporting institution. “When I took on the role of president of this institution, I did so to work with FIFA and CAF.We inherited a problem that we did not create, and in two years the whole world has seen what we are capable of (on the field),” he added.
“Nor do I have a commitment to be at the head of FEGUIFUT for the rest of my life.I came here with my team to help our football. We have found a problem to which we have not yet found a solution, and perhaps there is someone who can take over the reins of this institution and do it better than we can,” added Venancio Tomás Ndong Michá. “Over the last few weeks, a lot of hard work has been put in by FIFA, the coaches’ lawyers and my government, where we have made all the necessary proposals to unblock this situation. I’m already exhausted and tired,” laments the man who may be stepping down as head of FEGUIFUT.
