Gabon’s head coach, Thierry Mouyouma, on Thursday unveiled a 27-man squad ahead of the team’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff clash with Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Speaking at a press conference in Libreville, Mouyouma named experienced stars, including former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who will captain the Panthers, and Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina.
Also listed are Denis Bouanga, Gabon’s top scorer in the qualifiers with eight goals, Noha Lemina, Bruno Ecuele Manga, and Guélor Kanga.
The match is scheduled for Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the C.S. Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.The winner will face either Cameroon or DR Congo in the next playoff round.
Despite a strong qualifying campaign, Gabon finished second in Group E with 25 points, narrowly behind Côte d’Ivoire, who topped the group with 26.
The full list of the Panthers is as follows:Goalkeepers: Jean-Noël Amonome (AS Arta/Solar7, Djibouti), Donald Nzé (AS Mangasport), Anthony Mfa Mezui (FC Rodange, Luxembourg)
Defenders: Bruno Ecuele Manga (Chamois Niortais, France), Lloyd Palun (RWD Molenbeek, Belgium), Aaron Appindangoye (No club), Johann Obiang (Stade Lavallois, France), David Sambissa (Pau FC, France), Sidney Obissa (Olympiakos Nicosia, Cyprus)
Midfielders: Mario Lemina (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Guélor Kanga (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Jim Allevinah (Clermont Foot, France), Louis Ameka Autchanga (Sabah FC, Azerbaijan), Noha Lemina (Yverdon Sport FC, Switzerland), Yoann Wachter (US Saint-Malo, France)
Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille, France), Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC, USA), Axel Meye (CR Belouizdad, Algeria), Aaron Boupendza (Al-Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Ulrick Eneme Ella (Angers SCO, France).