Sport
Africa cup of Nations 2012 Update: Ivory Coast advance to semis
The result was a squad of largely unknown players based in far-flung leagues such as the Spanish lower divisions, the Brazilian regional leagues, Turkey and Oman.
Most of the squad was born outside Equatorial Guinea and qualified through family ties, though several – including goalkeeper Emanuel-Danilo Clementino – were made eligible through naturalization.
Tournament organizers, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said all players’ eligibility had been verified, though world governing body FIFA said it had received no such request ahead of the competition.
FIFA regulations stipulate that naturalized players must have lived for five years in the country they wish to play for.
Clementino, who has played almost his entire career in Brazil, defended the policy.
“I couldn’t play in my own national team,” the goalkeeper said. “The opportunity to play in whatever selection is very important whether it’s Equatorial Guinea or not. Other teams do it. The world is global, that’s the way it is. We followed the rules and that’s it.”
Perhaps Paulo’s greatest achievement was molding a fierce team spirit.
“If anybody makes a mistake, we all suffer,” said midfielder Iban Iyanga, one of the finds of the tournament who plays in the Spanish second tier. “If anybody scores, we all celebrate. That’s the best way to get success and it’s the secret of our success.”
