The national coach, Thierry Mouyouma, made public this Friday, the list of 23 internationals called to regroup for the Gabon vs Lesotho double confrontation, as part of the 3th et 4th days, Group B, of the qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations (CAN) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), scheduled for Morocco in 2025. Exit, the emblematic ”Boss” of the Panthers defense, Bruno Ecuélé Manga who played three CAN with his country, in 2010, 2012 and 2015.
The absence of Bruno Ecuélé Manga is not a surprise in itself for fans of the Gabon national team and informed observers of football on the continent who did not fail to point out the absence of legs and the feverishness accused by the former Niortais in the defensive axis, during the Panthers’ previous outings.
This outcome was almost predictable for Ecuélé Manga whose absence from a club, an aggravating factor, undoubtedly guided the choices and the decision of Thierry Mouyouma, who should bet on the pair Appindangoye – Moukétou in the axis and perhaps for a long time , knock on wood.
Reason for relief for Panthers supporters, the return of the international midfielder, member of Wolverhampton (English League 1), very lively with his club, unavailable during the victorious reception (2-0, September 10 in Franceville against the Central African Republic.
Other returns announced, those of Clench Ruben Loufilou, Jim Allevinah and Orphée Mbina (absent from the last regrouping), but also that of Junior goalkeeper Noubi Fotso who is coming out of a long injury contracted in selection, who is making his comeback since the arrival of the current technical staff.
In midfield, Medwin Bitéghé who was satisfactory during previous outings in these qualifiers should deal with Kanga Guélor who has become the undisputed metronome in the Panthers’ midfield. The two other captains and spearheads of the Gabonese attack, namely captain Pierre Emérick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga, are indeed included in the list of 23 summoned by Thierry Mouyouma.
Here is the full list: goalkeepers (Loyce Marius Mbaba, Anse Ngoubi Demba and Junior Noubi Fotso); defenders (Anthony Oyono, Jeremy Oyono, James Ekomie, Aaron Appindangoye, Michel Mboula, Alex Mouketou and Yannis Mbemba) midfielders (Guelor Kanga, Mario Lemina, Eric Bocum, Medwin Biteghe, Serge Ngouali and Clench Ruben Loufilou); forwards (Jim Allevinah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga, David Sambissa, Shavy Babicka, Orphea Mbina and Rody Effaghe). Stane Essono, Alan Do Marcolino, Sidney Obissa and Jack Rissonga figure among the reserves.
The double confrontation against Lesotho, on October 11 (in Franceville) and October 15 (in Durban, South Africa) will decide the qualification of Gabon (3 points) in this group B, where only one team will advance, Morocco ( 6 points) which faces the CAR (also 3 points) in a double confrontation again, being already qualified as the organizing country.
Elliott Ana Wonder
2024-10-04 14:12:49
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