Latest news with #ThierryMouyouma
CAF
26-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon): 'I want to win the Africa Cup of Nations'
At 35, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proves he is far from losing his shine. Still as fast, sharp, and determined, he remains one of the most feared forwards, capable of making a difference at any moment. Just like his brace against Kenya (2-1) on Match Day 6 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which earned the Panthers three crucial points, while keeping pressure on Côte d'Ivoire, another top team in Group F. A campaign that promises to be decisive for the future of Gabon, with high-stakes matches to secure a place in the final stages of the competition. This qualification is the thread running through 2025, leading Gabon to Morocco—a highly anticipated return to the continental stage after missing the Ivorian edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. Thierry Mouyouma's men, buoyed by Aubameyang's impressive form, are determined to make a strong impression. The lethal forward sat down with CAFOnline to talk about his ambitions for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF AFCON. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon finds itself in Group F, alongside Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mozambique. What are your thoughts on this group? I think it's the group of death. We're used to it now. We often end up in tough groups. But I think it's a good thing—it's a big test from the start. At least it gives a direction for the competition because if you manage to get out of this group, it means you're capable of winning the Africa Cup of Nations. I think these are the biggest nations we could face, so it will give us a good idea when we come out of it. How did you feel about Gabon's absence from the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d'Ivoire? I think we missed out on a great AFCON because I personally watched it on TV, and it was really nice to see. I find it disappointing that we didn't participate. But we have to make up for it and go as far as we can in the next one. Pierre-Emerick, you are going to play your sixth Africa Cup of Nations. After all these years of experience, how do you view this new participation in Morocco in 2025, and what goals have you set for yourself? If I were to set myself a goal, it would be to win the Africa Cup of Nations. It would be a dream, perhaps seen as ambitious by some, but for me, it's a real objective. I'm going there with unwavering determination. It would also be something extraordinary for the country to reach the final and deliver a great performance. It would be truly incredible. You are clearly one of the faces of your team and national squad. As a leader, how do you manage this pressure? Yes, I think now I handle it well because of my experience. I react differently than before, when I could be more affected. Criticism is still hard to take, but that's the reality. Today, I am more mature. At my club, Al-Qadsiah FC, my role on the field involves me more in the game, which boosts my confidence. As for the pressure, it doesn't bother me anymore. I've been facing it for years. As a senior member of the team, what message do you pass on to the younger players to motivate them? What advice do you give them? The most important thing is to enjoy yourself, because it's a golden opportunity. If I look at my career, it's thanks to the AFCON that I was truly recognized on the world stage, especially with Gabon, and especially during the 2012 AFCON. Even though the ending was tough, it's a memorable experience. It's an incredible chance, especially when you're young, and sometimes I think young players forget this opportunity. So I advise them to enjoy every moment and play their football because that's how you grow. Mistakes are part of the game, but they help you improve. Of course, I'll give technical advice, but that stays between us. What would you have liked to hear at the beginning of your career? They told me the right things when I was young. But the thing I discovered later, which I wasn't prepared for, was the rise! Because it can happen very quickly. I remember I played the 2010 AFCON, where I was on the bench. And two years later, I was a starter, and they put me up there. So it's very complicated because there's also the backlash when you're, so to speak, the star. And when the results aren't there, of course, you're targeted. But that's just it—I think this is what surprised me. So if someone had warned me, it would have been nice. But I discovered it a bit the hard way. And as I said at the time, I sometimes reacted impulsively, probably making mistakes. But that's the past. I think now I try to set the best example for the young ones coming in and leave the field open for them for the future. 🇬🇦 — AUBA⚡️ (@Auba) March 25, 2025
Morocco World
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Gabon vs Seychelles: When, How to Watch, and Score Prediction
Gabon is taking on Seychelles in a World Cup qualifier at the Stade Franceville. The Panthers sit second in Group F with nine points – trailing behind Cote D'Ivoire by just one point. Kick-off at 7 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT) and fans can catch the action live on Gabon TV, RTG 1, SBC TV, and New World Sport 1. Seychelles have been woeful. They sit at the bottom of the group with zero points – four games, four losses, and 22 goals conceded. Their backline is a mess and Gabon will surely look to bump up their goal tally – just like Cote D'Ivoire when they pummelled Seychelles 9-0 back in November 2023. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FEGAFOOT (@fegafoot) The Panthers' captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is suspended, but still Gabon have enough firepower upfront. Head coach Thierry Mouyouma is expected to field Denis Bouanga and Jim Allevinah to lead the attack. Mario Lemina picked up a minor knock in training but is expected to feature in the starting eleven. However, Gabon's defense will be without Bruno Ecuele Manga who is ruled out due to injury. For Seychelles, goalkeeper Romeo Barra is likely to start despite struggling with fitness issues. Captain Charmaine Hausl will lead the shaky defense that has been overrun in the past games. In midfield, Nick Labiche is back in the squad after missing the last game. Predicted Lineups: Gabon: Mbaba; Oyono, Appindagoyé, Moucketou-Moussounda, Obiang; Loufilou, Lemina, Kanga; Allevinah, Babicka, Bouanga. Seychelles: Barra; Hausl, Ah-Kong, Mothe, Gamothie; Labiche, Cadeau, Sophia, Payet; Labrosse, Raheriniaina. Predicted Score: Gabon are expected to dominate due to their superior quality. Seychelles are unlikely to strike back. Gabon 4-0 Seychelles Total Over 3.5
CAF
04-02-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025: What Can the "Returnees" Do?
Gabon, Benin, Uganda, Botswana, and Zimbabwe are returning to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals after missing out on the last edition played last year in Cote d'Ivoire. CAFOnline takes a closer look at the chances of these teams as they prepare to make a grand return to Africa's most prestigious competition. Gabon: Huge Challenges Against Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire Gabon qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations TotalEnergies Morocco after finishing second in Group B with 10 points, behind Morocco (18 points). The Panthers return to the continental showpiece after their 2021 appearance in Cameroon, where the team, then led by French coach Patrice Neveu, was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Burkina Faso. Placed in Group F, the team led by Thierry Mouyouma has not been fortunate with the draw, as they find themselves in a group with Cameroon (5-time champions), Cote d'Ivoire (3-time champions and defending champions), and Mozambique. The Panthers, who will participate in their ninth TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, have more than a few tricks up their sleeve and will be able to count on not only their solid defense in development, but also key players such as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga, Jim Allevinah, and Delor Kanga to help them advance from this tough group. Benin: Drawing Inspiration from the 2019 Feat Benin returns to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations after missing the previous two editions in Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon. The West African country's last participation was in 2019 in Egypt, where they achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the quarterfinals. This was the team's first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals, and they will now make their fifth appearance in Morocco. Benin narrowly qualified after finishing second in Group D of the qualifiers with 8 points, tied with Rwanda (third place) but with a better goal difference, and behind Nigeria (11 points). The task ahead looks daunting for Benin, who are placed in Group D alongside Senegal (winners of the 2021 edition), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (semi-finalists in the last edition), and Botswana. However, the team can rely on the experience of their coach, Guernot Rohr, who led Nigeria's Super Eagles to a bronze medal in the 2019 Egypt edition. Captain Steve Mounié and his teammates will also look to draw inspiration from their impressive 2019 run, where they defied expectations. Zimbabwe: Facing Major Opponents Zimbabwe's last appearance was in the 2021 edition in Cameroon. The team, which finished fourth in Group B with 3 points, behind Malawi (4 points), Guinea (4 points), and Senegal (5 points), was eliminated in the group stage. Zimbabwe qualified for the finals in Morocco after finishing second in Group J with 9 points, behind Cameroon (14 points). The Warriors managed to outclass Kenya (6 points) and especially Namibia, which had reached the Round of 16 in the last edition. In Group B, coach Michael Nees and his players face a tough challenge against Egypt (the most successful team in the competition with 7 trophies), South Africa (third-place finishers in the last edition), and Angola (quarterfinalists last year). Uganda: Drawing Inspiration from the Qualifiers Uganda's last participation was in 2019 in Egypt. That year, the Ugandan Cranes finished their campaign in the Round of 16 after placing second in Group A with 4 points, behind the host nation, Egypt (9 points), and ahead of the DR Congo (third place with 3 points). After losing 1-0 to Senegal in the Round of 16, the country failed to qualify for the next two editions. Uganda had an excellent performance during the qualifiers, finishing second in Group K with 13 points, behind South Africa (14 points). The Cranes recorded four wins, one draw, and one loss, enough to inspire confidence going to Morocco. In Group C, Uganda faces two African football giants: Nigeria (three-time AFCON winners) and Tunisia (winners in 2004), as well as Tanzania, their East African neighbour and co-host for the 2027 edition of the AFCON. The task will not be easy for Paul Put and his players, but they can draw inspiration from the team's remarkable run to the final in 1978. Uganda also reached the semifinals in the 1962 edition. Botswana: The Underdog with Great Potential In Morocco, Botswana will only be making its their second appearance. The country's only previous participation was in 2012, a co-hosted edition by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, where they were eliminated in the group stage, finishing last in Group D with 0 points behind Guinea (4 points), Mali (6 points), and Ghana (7 points). Thirteen years later, the Zebras return with much greater ambitions after an impressive qualifying campaign where they surpassed Cape Verde and Mauritania—both teams that participated in the last edition—to secure second place in Group C with 8 points, behind Egypt (14 points). Their crucial double victory over Cape Verde, a quarter-finalist in the last AFCON, during the qualifiers proves that Thabang Sesinyi and his teammates have the potential to make their opponents in Group D, including Senegal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Benin, take notice.
