Gabon’s National Team Announces 27-Man Roster for 2026 FIFA World Cup African Playoff Match
Gabon’s national football team, known as the Panthers, has officially announced their 27-man squad for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff match against Nigeria. The announcement was made during a press conference held in Libreville, where head coach Thierry Mouyouma revealed the names of the players who will represent the country in this high-stakes encounter.
The match is scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the C.S. Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. This game is a pivotal part of the African qualifiers, with the winner set to face the victor of the Cameroon vs. DR Congo match in the next round.
Key Players in the Squad
One of the most prominent figures in the Gabonese squad is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the experienced forward who currently plays for Marseille and has previously represented Arsenal and Barcelona. At 36 years old, Aubameyang remains a vital asset for the team, bringing both experience and leadership to the field.
Alongside Aubameyang, several other notable players have been included in the roster. These include the Lemina brothers, Noha Lemina and Mario Lemina, who are well-known for their contributions to Gabonese football. Denis Bouanga, who emerged as the highest goalscorer for Gabon in the qualifiers with eight goals, is also part of the squad.
Squad Breakdown
Here is the full list of players selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff:
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)
Performance in Qualifiers
Despite their strong performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Gabon fell just short of securing first place in Group E. They finished second with 25 points, one point behind Côte d’Ivoire, who claimed the top spot with 26 points. This close finish highlights the competitive nature of the qualifiers and the challenges that lie ahead for the Panthers.
As the team prepares for the upcoming match against Nigeria, all eyes will be on how they perform under pressure and whether they can secure a spot in the next stage of the World Cup qualifiers. With a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, the Gabonese squad is well-equipped to face the challenge ahead.