Brazilian Gilson Paulo has been appointed coach of Equatorial Guinea just three weeks before the CAF Africa Cup of Nations get underway, a spokesman for the national federation confirmed today.

French coach Henri Michel quit last month blaming what he called "repeat interference" in his job.

The African minnows co-host the three-week tournament with Gabon beginning on 21 January in which they are competing for the first time.

Ranked 150th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola world ranking, the African side open their campaign against Libya. Paulo, 62, previously coached Brazilian clubs including Vasco da Gama.