Gabon welcome back Aubameyang for FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers CAF Play-Offs
Gabon will have veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back to lead their attack in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers CAF Play-Offs in Morocco this month after serving as suspension for a red card.
Gabon take on Nigeria in their playoff semi-final on Thursday, November 13 in Rabat with the winner to then play either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the playoff final three days later.
Aubameyang scored all four goals as Gabon overcame Gambia 4-3 in Nairobi in October in their Group F qualifier but then got sent off and was suspended for the last group fixture against Burundi.
Gabon finished as one of the four best runners-up across the nine African World Cup qualifying groups to earn a place in the playoffs.
Coach Thierry Mouyouma has gone for continuity in his 26-man selection, save for a first call-up for Jonathan do Marcolino, who is a central defender on loan to Bourg-en-Bresse in the French third division from Stade Rennais.
Gabon continue to be without long-term injured players Jim Allevinah, Shavy Babicka, Medwin Biteghe, Michel Mboula, and Junior Noubi Fotso, while Mangasport central defender Oumar Bagnama has lost his place because of a lack of game time as he awaits the start of the new domestic league season.
Gabon squad:
Goalkeepers: François Junior Bekale (Hafia, Guinea), Loyce Mbaba (Stella d'Adjamé, Cote d’Ivoire), Lukas Mounguenou (Paris St Germain, France), Demba Anse Ngoubi (Mosta, Malta)
Defenders: Aaron Appindangoye (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jonathan do Marcolino (Bourg-en-Bresse, France), Jacques Ekomie (Angers, France), Bruno Ecuele Manga (Paris 13 Atletico, France), Yannis Mbemba (FC Dordrecht, Netherlands), Johan Obiang (Orleans, France), Mike Kila Onfia (Hafia, Guinea), Anthony Oyono, Jérémy Oyono (both Frosinone, Italy)
Midfielders: Oumar Samake Nze Bagnama (Stade Abdijan, Cote d’Ivoire), Eric Bocoum (Gol Gohar, Iran), Guelor Kanga (Esenler Erokspor, Turkey), Mario Lemina (Galatasaray, Turkey), Didier Ndong (Esteghlal, Iran), André Biyogho Poko (Amed, Turkey)
Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Olympique de Marseille, France), Teddy Averlant (Amiens, France), Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC, USA), Alan do Marcolino (Lusitânia Lourosa, Portugal), Randy Essang Matouti (Khenchela, Algeria), Noha Lemina (Yverdon Sport, Switzerland), Bryan Meyo (Oympique Lyonnais, France).