Equatorial Guinea’s record goalscorer Emilio Nsue has been officially cleared to play for the country by Fifa – more than a decade after the former Spain youth international made his senior debut for the African nation.

There was widespread surprise in May last year when football’s world governing body handed Nsue, now 35, a six-month ban, deeming him ineligible to play in 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

At the time, FIFA said it was “comfortably satisfied” that Nsue, who won the golden boot at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, had never received clearance to formalise his switch from Spain.

But that changed on Wednesday when FIFA approved a second request by Equatorial Guinea’s football federation (Feguifut) – 12 years after its first attempt.

“FIFA’s decision has been very positive for us and for all the people of Equatorial Guinea,” Feguifut president Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha told BBC Sport Africa.

“After so many years, and months, we were able to show that Emilio was eligible and finally Fifa showed justice in this case.”

FIFA’s shock ruling last year came 43 games after Nsue’s 2013 debut for Equatorial Guinea, a side he has often captained and for whom he has scored a record 22 goals.

After he struck twice in World Cup qualifying wins against Namibia and Liberia in late 2023, FIFA ruled that both games would be forfeited 3-0.

Feguifut was also fined 150,000 Swiss francs ($164,000, £129,000) for fielding the player, who had previously taken part in both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup qualifying campaigns without incident.

The second – and ultimately successful – bid to change Nsue’s allegiance was launched shortly after his six-month ban ended, while a Feguifut appeal last year resulted in the fine being reduced to 50,000 Swiss francs, with the remaining 100,000 suspended for two years.

“I am overjoyed to be able to be back with my national team and to compete for the flag and people of Equatorial Guinea,” Nsue told BBC Sport Africa.

“Now it is time to focus on our upcoming qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup, and hopefully we can make every Equatoguinean proud of us.”

-BBC

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Leading Rwandan newspaper, The New Times has enumerated the challenges and promises that the country’s new coach, Adel Amrouche faces ahead of the impending World Cup qualifying duel with Nigeria in Kigali.

The newspaper writes:

Adel Amrouche, the newly appointed head coach of Rwanda’s national football team, steps into a role laden with both promises and challenges.

Amrouche, 56, brings extensive coaching experience, having previously managed national teams across Africa, including Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, Kenya, Burundi and Tanzania.

However, his task is far from simple—Rwanda’s national team has long been stuck in mediocrity, with little success on the continental stage.

Yet, this is also a time of opportunity, as Amrouche is tasked with building a competitive squad to elevate Rwanda’s football status and perhaps make a historical breakthrough in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

His immediate focus will be preparing the Amavubi for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Nigeria (March 17) and Lesotho (March 24) at Amahoro Stadium.

These games are crucial for Rwanda’s qualification hopes and will test Amrouche’s ability to get the best out of a team that, although currently leading its World Cup qualification group, has struggled historically in international competitions.

The Amavubi face a daunting task of overcoming heavyweights like Nigeria and South Africa in their group.

But the 56-year-old, with his vast experience across African football, probably understands the challenges of managing in a high-pressure environment.

He knows that with little time to implement his tactics before these key matches, he will have to rely on the groundwork laid by his predecessor, Torsten Spittler.

Amrouche’s ability to adapt quickly and build on this platform will be critical. Failure to do that, and he also become a statistic before the end of his two-year contract.

Limited resources and high expectations:

One of the key challenges that Amrouche will face is Rwanda’s limited resources, both on and off the pitch.

Unlike powerhouses such as Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, or even Amrouche’s native Algeria, Rwanda’s football infrastructure and financial backing are not on the same level.

The team’s budget is modest, and they do not have the luxury of world-class facilities or top-tier club competitions to draw talent from.

However, Amrouche is no stranger to working with limited resources. He has led teams with fewer advantages, particularly during his time coaching in countries like Burundi and Yemen.

In Rwanda, he will need to maximize the potential of the players at his disposal and instill a sense of discipline, resilience, and tactical acumen to overcome these limitations.

He will have to make the most out of Rwanda’s home-grown talents, focusing on their development and playing to their strengths.

Rwanda’s limited success on the continental level, including their near-miss at qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, also adds pressure on the Algiers-born former midfielder.

The team’s only “major” trophy to date, if you may like, was the 1999 CECAFA Senior Challenge, and they have qualified for the AFCON only once in 2004.

This long history of underachievement makes Amrouche’s task even more daunting.

He must not only push the team to compete at a higher level but also instill a sense of belief and unity within a squad that has often faltered in crucial moments.

Political and mental challenge:

Another challenge for Amrouche will be navigating the political and managerial instability within

Rwanda’s football system.

The country has witnessed one of the highest turnover rates of coaches in African football, with a staggering 24 different coaches in the last three decades.

This high turnover rate is indicative of the impatience that plagues Rwandan football and adds to the pressure on the incoming coach to deliver results quickly. Amrouche must therefore tread carefully. He must hit the ground running.

While he has the technical expertise, he must manage expectations within a football culture where stability is often lacking. Appetite for quick-fix is Amavubi’s Achilles’ heel.

His previous experience with the national teams of Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, and Tanzania shows that he understands how to manage under pressure, but in Rwanda, his ability to foster long-term success will be tested.

In the same breath, FERWAFA must also provide him with the necessary backing to ensure he has the tools to succeed, especially when it comes to the development of players and infrastructure.

Patience is the path to success:

For Amrouche, the long-term goal is clear—he must qualify Rwanda for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and help the Amavubi reach new heights in African football.

To achieve this, he will need to prioritize the development of a strong team chemistry, tactical discipline, and mental fortitude.

His role is not just about game strategies but also about fostering a culture of professionalism and unity within the squad. Spittler succeeded in this areas, and so his successor must.

One of Amrouche’s key strengths will be his ability to scout talent and give younger players a chance to shine. Rwanda has a growing pool of young talent, and Amrouche must build a team that blends experience with youthful energy.

If he can successfully identify and nurture talent, he will lay the foundation for long-term success. Short-term success is needed, and indeed most welcome but the ultimate goal should be on the future.

Amrouche’s appointment marks the beginning of a new era for Rwanda’s national team. His success will depend on how he navigates the challenges of limited resources, Rwandan football political instability, and high expectations.

If he can strike the right balance and foster a sense of unity within the team, and be able to build on the foundation left by Spittler, Amrouche may finally deliver the success that Rwandan football fans have long yearned for.

It’s possible but only time will tell.

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Next year’s FIFA World Cup already has its marks. It is the first to be hosted across three countries, and the first to have the 48-team format.

 According to the New York Times, FIFA is considering expanding the 2030 Morocco-Spain-Portugal World Cup to 64 teams.

Like that of 2026, the edition will be hosted by three countries.

“Gianni Infantino would certainly be “seduced” by the possible financial benefits of such an enlargement”, the newspaper reports in its Thursday edition.

It is gathered that the football governing body will review a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams to mark the 100th anniversary of the World Cup.

The 2030 World Cup will be held in Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, where the inaugural edition was staged, set to host three games.

The World Cup has already been expanded from 32 to 48 teams for next year’s edition in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

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