The tiny Spanish-speaking African nation, is set to host the Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament, whose opening match is this Saturday in Bata.
Morocco was originally going to host the tournament, but was stripped of hosting duties after the country’s officials requested the event be postponed over fears of the Ebola virus. Morocco was also disqualified from participating in the tournament.
In the country of just over 600,000 people, the African Nations Cup organizers will charge less than US$1 for some tickets, while the government plans to give away 40,000 seats.
The decision for Equatorial Guinea host the cup was controversial. The country has been ruled by Teodoro Obiang since his 1979 coup., and while it is an oil-rich nation with one of the highest per-capita incomes on the continent, most of the population lives in poverty.
Some African players whose day jobs are for European teams were banned from playing in the Cup by their clubs due to fears about the Ebola virus.
Pictures
A health worker checks the temperature of a man arriving at Bata Airport. All teams arriving in Equatorial Guinea for the Cup must travel through the capital Malabo to be tested for the Ebola virus.Reuters
Equatorial Guinea's head coach Esteban Becker of Argentina, Jan. 16, 2015, ahead of their African Nations opening soccer match against Congo on Saturday.Reuters
A man walks in front of the Estadio de Bata "Bata Stadium" which will host the opening ceremony of African Nations Cup on Saturday, in Bata Jan. 15, 2015.Reuters
Fans wait to buy tickets for the upcoming African Nations Cup outside the Estadio de Bata "Bata Stadium" which will host the opening ceremony on Saturday, in Bata Jan. 16, 2015.Reuters
A construction worker walks in front of the Estadio de Bata "Bata Stadium" which will host the opening ceremony of African Nations Cup on Saturday, in Bata Jan. 15, 2015.Reuters
A man looks on at his shop with national flags and jerseys for Equatorial Guinea which will host the opening ceremony of African Cup of Nations on Saturday, in Bata Jan. 16, 2015.Reuters
Equatorial Guinea's Javier Balboa speaks during a news conference in Bata Jan. 16, 2015, ahead of their African Nations opening soccer match against Congo on Saturday.Reuters
A soldier takes his position as Equatorial Guinea's players check the field of the Estadio de Bata "Bata Stadium" in Bata Jan. 16, 2015.Reuters
Chuku Chuku, the official mascot of the upcoming African Nations Cup outside the Estadio de Bata "Bata Stadium" which will host the opening ceremony, Jan. 16, 2015.Reuters
Fans wait in line to buy tickets for the upcoming African Nations Cup outside the Estadio de Bata "Bata Stadium" which will host the opening ceremony on Saturday, in Bata Jan. 15, 2015.Reuters
Soldiers and policemen take their positions as Equatorial Guinea's players check the field of the Estadio de Bata "Bata Stadium" in Bata Jan. 16, 2015.Reuters