SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes defender Carlos Akapo is among 27 players called to the Equatorial Guinea Men’s National Team by head coach Juan Micha Obiang for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023, set to open on Jan. 13, 2024.
Drawn into Group A, Equatorial Guinea will open the tournament against Nigeria on Sunday, Jan. 14 (6:00 a.m. PT). They will next face Guinea-Bissau on Thursday, Jan. 18 (6:00 a.m. PT) before closing group stage play against hosts Côte d'Ivoire on Monday, Jan. 22 (9:00 a.m. PT).
Akapo, 30, has scored once and earned 30 appearances for the Nazalang Nacional in multiple Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, and various international friendlies. He started in every match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (played in 2022) to help Equatorial Guinea reach the quarterfinals, falling to eventual champions Senegal.
In his first season with the Earthquakes, Akapo notched six goal contributions (two goals, four assists) in 28 appearances. His initial goal was the game-winner in the Quakes’ 2-1 home opener victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on March 4. Akapo also earned two MLS Team of the Matchday nominations in 2023 (Matchdays 2, 34).
