2012 Afcon: Equatorial Guinea team receives $1m cash for opener win

The Equatorial Guinea national football team has received a $1 million package for their opening victory against Libya at the ongoing 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The co-hosts beat Libya by a lone goal in the tournament’s opener last Saturday at a packed Estadio de Bata with striker Balboa Osa scoring in the closing stages of the game.

The Nzalang Nacional were promised a cash package of 500 million CFA Francs ($1million) by Teodoo Nguema Obiang Mangue, first son of the country’s President who also doubles as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry for a victory against the North Africans.

The 40-year old Mangue, who has been in the news for his extravagant lifestyle at home and abroad, handed over the cash to the team on Tuesday at their Mbini Hotel base, located on the outskirts of Bata, the country’s economic capital.

“The match was a very important one for the people of Equatorial Guinea, being the first time an event of that magnitude is being hosted in this country.

“My presence here is to fulfil the promise made before the opening game. The journey is still long but not impossible,” the Minister told the team.

Mangue, who heads the country’s most important Ministry also gave out an extra $20,000 for the two goals scored by Balboa, though only one counted with the other being ruled offside.

Captain Juvenal Edjogo-Ewono on behalf of his colleagues commended the Minister for his kind gesture and pledged to maintain smiles on the faces of the fans in subsequent matches.

The package ranks the debutants as the most motivated team at the tournament so far with the players also due to pocket 4 million CFA Francs (6,000 Euros) for each win at the group phase.

The co-hosts will face Senegal in the second match of the competition on Wednesday at the Estadio de Bata.

Source: GNA