Nickname: The Panthers [Les Pantheres]
Fifa rank: 78
Afcon Group: F
Head coach: Thierry Mouyouma
Group Stage fixtures: Cameroon [Dec 24], Mozambique [Dec 28], Ivory Coast [Dec 31]
Afcon appearances: 9 [1994, 1996, 2000, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2025]
Best Afcon performance: Quarter Finals [1996, 2012]
How they qualified: Gabon qualified as runners up in a group that was topped by perfect hosts Morocco.
With only 10 points, 7 goals scored and nine conceded, the Panthers beat minnows Lesotho and Central African Republic to the slot.
Realistic chance at Afcon 2025: They will renew acquaintances with 2026 World Cup qualifiers opponent Gabon and then giants Cameroon in the group stages.
They will be buoyed by their performance in the world cup qualifiers but first, they should get out of a tough group.
Who is the star of the team? Former Arsenal forward Pierre Aubameyang is literally the biggest name on the Panthers squad but Mario Lemina and Dennis Bounga at the moment have more impact on the team and must show up if the Panthers are to do well and maybe go beyond the quarter finals – their biggest achievement in the competition.
Gabon’s final 28-man squad for AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
- Mbaba Loyce Marius
- Ngoubi Demba Anse
- Bekale Junior
Defenders
- Oyono Antony
- Oyono Jérémy
- Obiang Johann
- Ekomie Jacques
- Appindangoye A.
- Ecuele Manga Bruno
- Moucketou Alex
- Kila Onfia Mick
- Do Marcolino Jonathan
- Mboula Uriel-Michel
Midfielders
- Mario Lemina
- Nze Samake
- Kanga Guelor
- Bocoum Eric
- Poko B. André
- Loufilou Ruben
- Ndong Ibrahim
Forwards
- Shavy Babicka
- Avelrant Teddy
- Denis Bouanga
- Essang-Matou Edlin
- Malick Evouna
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Royce Openda
- Jim Allevinah