Star forward Bouanga targets historic AFCON run with Gabon

Gabon forward Denis Bouanga says the Panthers are aiming to make history at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025, as they look to surpass their previous best performances at the continental showpiece.

Bouanga, one of the most experienced players in the squad, believes the team has both the ambition and belief to push beyond the quarter-final stage, a barrier Gabon have never crossed in eight AFCON appearances.

“I hope we can go beyond the quarter-finals. That would be historic for Gabon and would give us something we have never achieved in recent tournaments,” Bouanga said, in an exclusive interview with CAFOnline.

The 30-year-old attacker acknowledged his growing leadership role within the squad, while stressing that his competitive mindset remains unchanged.

“As the years go by, I have more responsibility in the dressing room, especially to guide the younger players, but I stay focused on my role. I have a competitive spirit; I don’t like losing, I like winning,” he said.

Bouanga also carries personal ambitions into the tournament, still searching for his first goal at AFCON despite several close attempts in previous editions.

“Personally, I want to finally score my first goal at the Africa Cup of Nations. I’ve hit the woodwork many times but I’ve never managed to score,” he added.

The Gabon international arrives in Morocco on the back of an outstanding Major League Soccer (MLS) season in the United States, where he became the first player to score at least 20 goals in three consecutive MLS campaigns. 

He is also among a select group of players to have reached double figures in playoff goals.

“I had a very good season, and I want to continue on that path with the national team. The preparation went well, and now we need to build chemistry quickly to start the tournament strongly,” Bouanga said.

Gabon enter AFCON 2025 seeking redemption after missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a semi-final playoff defeat to Nigeria. 

With the World Cup dream over, Bouanga believes the continental stage offers a fresh opportunity to write a new chapter in Gabonese football history.