Aubameyang Leads Gabon’s 27-Man Squad for Crucial World Cup Playoff Against Nigeria
Gabon’s head coach, Thierry Mouyouma, on Thursday unveiled a powerful 27-man squad as the Panthers prepare for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Speaking at a press conference in Libreville, Mouyouma confirmed that former Arsenal and Barcelona star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will captain the side. The squad also features key European-based talent, including Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Mario Lemina.
Other notable inclusions are Denis Bouanga (Gabon’s top scorer in the qualifiers with eight goals), the younger Noha Lemina, veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga, and influential midfielder Guélor Kanga.
The high-stakes match is scheduled for Thursday, November 13, 2025, and will be played at the C.S. Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
The winner of the fixture will advance to 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 missing the top spot to Côte d’Ivoire (26 points).
The complete list of the Panthers’ squad 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).
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