Coco-Bassey: The third defender of Nigerian descent in Equatorial Guinea's AFCON squad and their MVP

Allnigeriasoccer.com has been told that there is a third defender of Nigerian descent included in Equatorial Guinea's Africa Cup of Nations squad. 

Apart from versatile Huddersfield Town left-back Charles Ondo and  CD Illescas central defender Marvin Anieboh, Equatorial Guinea coach Juan Michá Obiang has selected Saúl Basilio Coco-Bassey Oubiña, better known as Saúl Coco in his squad list for the tournament in Ivory Coast. 

Coco-Bassey was eligible to play international football for Nigeria and Spain before becoming cap-tied to Equatorial Guinea in 2018.

Born in Lanzarote, Spain in 1999 to a Equatoguinean father and a Spanish mother, Coco-Bassey was eligible to represent the Super Eagles through his paternal grandfather. 

The 24-year-old center back turned out for Spanish clubs Marítima, Espanyol and UA Horta before he was snapped up by UD Las Palmas in July 2019. 

He made his La Liga debut on the opening day of the season against RCD Mallorca and has played a further fourteen matches in the Spanish top division, scoring one goal against Villarreal.

Coco-Bassey was awarded La Liga EA Sports Goal of the Month for October for his stunning free-kick goal against the Yellow Submarine.

Valued at three million euros by Transfermarkt, Coco-Bassey is ranked the most valuable Equatoguinean player, ahead of José Machín, Omar Mascarell, Carlos Akapo and Pedro Obiang.

Equatorial Guinea will face Nigeria in their Africa Cup of Nations opener at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan on January 14.

Equatorial Guinea  AFCON Squad:

Goalkeepers: Aitor Embela (CD Soneja), Manuel Sapunga (Polokwane City), Jesus Owono (Deportivo Alaves)

Defenders: Carlos Akapo (San Jose Earthquakes), Marvin Anieboh (CD Illescas), Hugo Buyla (Sampdoria), Saul Coco (Las Palmas), Jose Elo (Merida), Basilio Ndong (Universitatea Craiova), Charles Ondo (Huddersfield Town), Esteban Orozco (Arges), Nestor Senra (Real Aviles Industrial)

Midfielders: Luis Asue (Sporting Braga), Alex Balboa (Huesca), Federico Bikoro (Club Africain), Jannick Buyla (Logrones), Santiago Eneme (MFK Vyskov), Pablo Ganet (Alcoyano), Jose Machin (Monza), Josete Miranda (Niki Volou), Federico Nguema (CSF Balti), Iban Salvador (Miedz Legnica)

Forwards: Noe Ela (Numancia), Jose Nabil (Cano Sport), Emilio Nsue (Inter City), Salomon Obama (Santa Coloma), Oscar Siafa (Alessandria)

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: X

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