In anticipation of their pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff matchup against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Gabon’s national team, the Panthers, have unveiled a formidable 27-man roster. Head coach Thierry Mouyouma announced the squad during a press conference in Libreville on Thursday.
The squad features a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, headlined by former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who returns to lead the attack after serving a suspension.
The crucial playoff match is scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the C.S. Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The winner of this encounter will advance to face the victor between Cameroon and DR Congo in the next round of the African playoffs. [3]
This fixture is part of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) revised qualification format, where the four best runners-up from the nine African qualifying groups—Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo—compete in playoffs for a chance to enter the intercontinental playoff stage.
Full list
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).
Gabon, aiming for their first-ever World Cup appearance, faces a formidable Nigerian side led by top scorer Victor Osimhen. The Panthers will rely on the experience of players like Aubameyang and Lemina to navigate this challenging fixture.