Diarte extends contract with Equatorial Guinea

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MALABO, Feb 4, 2010 (AFP) - Former Paraguayan international Carlos 'Lobo' Diarte committed himself to coaching Equatorial Guinea through to their joint-hosting of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals when he extended his contract on Thursday.

The 56-year-old has been in charge of the national side since August last year and has been rewarded for guiding them to the final of the CEMAC Cup (Central African Economic and Monetary Community) in December where they lost to the Central African Republic.

"Carlos 'Lobo' Diarte will be the coach of the 'Nzalang' (the nickname of the team) till the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, said the Secretary of State for Sports Ruslan Obiang Nsue, who is a son of state president Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

Diarte, who is in his first coaching post, was capped 45 times and enjoyed a successful club career in Spain including forming a stellar forward line at Valencia with Argentinian World Cup winner Martio Kempes and Dutch great Johnny Rep.

Equatorial Guinea, who have never qualified for an Africa Cup of Nations finals, are to co-host the tournament with Gabon.