2023 AFCON Top Scorer Quits International Football

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament golden boot winner, Emilio Nsue Lopez has retired from international football, according to Teodoro Nguema Mangue, the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea.

He announced the development on X, formerly Twitter on Tuesday, February 20 but the player who is active on Instagram is yet to confirm it.

According to him, Nsue announced his retirement from the national team after a “debate”.

“After the debates, captain Emilio Nsue López announced his retirement from the national team.

“Therefore, I have recognized his achievements during the 12 years that he has worn the Nzalang Nacional shirt and I have wished him luck in his professional future.”

The retirement of Nsue follows his outburst about alleged corruption and embezzlement of funds by the country’s football federation after their spell in the tournament came to an end in the Round of 16 where they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Guinea.

He is reported to have accused the FA of embezzling €1million of bonuses and fees for the tournament and deprived requisite equipment for their group stage clash against Nigeria with players forced to pay for equipment out of their own pockets.

Last week, the FA suspended him for “several episodes of serious indiscipline” during the tournament.

The forward netted the most goals in the tournament, helping his side to qualify at the Group Stage with his five goals.

The 34-year-old started in all five games played in the AFCON.

His retirement from international football means he will now focus on club football. He is currently with Primera Federación club Intercity, a third-tier Spanish club.