Kyrgyzstan lost 0–1 to Equatorial Guinea in a friendly match in Turkey, marking Robert Prosinečki’s first game in charge and the team’s first-ever meeting with African opposition.

The Kyrgyz side were far from full strength. First-choice goalkeeper Erzhan Tokotaev, midfielder Alimardon Shukurov and striker Joel Kojo were all unavailable due to injury, while several regulars — including Kai and Kimi Merkov, Gulzhigit Alykulov, Tamirlan Kozubaev, Erbol Atabaev and Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov — were left out of the squad. Centre-backs Christian Brauzman and Eldiyar Zarypbekov, along with winger Beknaz Almazbekov, started on the bench.

The starting XI included two debutants and six players with no more than five caps, underlining that Prosinečki used the match to assess options ahead of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Equatorial Guinea also fielded a relatively young side, though experienced players such as Saúl Coco, Loren Zúñiga and Josete Miranda started.

Kyrgyzstan were organised and looked to attack, lining up in a back four with captain Valeriy Kichin alongside debutant Valeriy Murzakov in central defence. However, just before halftime, Said Datsiev conceded a penalty, which Miranda converted to score the only goal of the game.

It was Datsiev’s third start for the national team, having been sent off in each of his previous two appearances.

After the break, Kyrgyzstan had more possession but struggled to create clear chances. Kichin came closest, firing over from a promising position.

Kyrgyzstan will face Madagascar in their next friendly on March 28.