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Gabon national football team facts for kids

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This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Gabon women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Gabon
Nickname(s) Les Panthères
(The Panthers)
Association Gabonese Football Federation (Fédération Gabonaise de Football, FEGAFOOT)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation UNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coach Thierry Mouyouma
Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Most caps Didier Ovono (112)
Top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (33)
Home stadium Stade d'Angondjé
FIFA code GAB
First colours
FIFA ranking
Current 85 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 30 (July 2009)
Lowest 125 (April–May 2003)
Elo ranking
Current 103 Decrease 1 (3 March 2019)
Highest 63 (November 1996)
Lowest 123 (June 2004)
First international
 Upper Volta 5–4 Gabon 
(Madagascar; 13 April 1960)
Biggest win
 Gabon 7–0 Benin 
(Libreville, Gabon; 2 April 1995)
Biggest defeat
 Cameroon 6–0 Gabon 
(Abidjan, Ivory Coast; 26 December 1961)
 Morocco 6–0 Gabon 
(Rabat, Morocco; 15 November 2006)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 8 (first in 1994)
Best result Quarter-finals, 1996 and 2012

The Gabon national football team, also known as Les Panthères (The Panthers), represents the country of Gabon in men's international football games. The Gabonese Football Federation manages the team. They have never played in the FIFA World Cup, but they have qualified eight times for the Africa Cup of Nations. Gabon is a member of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

History of the Panthers

Early Years (1960s-1970s)

Gabon played their first game on April 13, 1960. It was during the first Friendship Games in Madagascar. They lost 5–4 to Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso). In December 1961, they played in the same tournament again. They lost to Senegal and Cameroon.

A few months later, the Gabonese Football Federation was created. This group helps manage the national team. Their first win came on July 14, 1962, when they beat the Congo 3–1 at home. Gabon joined FIFA in 1966 and CAF in 1967. They tried to qualify for the 1966 FIFA World Cup but pulled out. They also tried to qualify for the 1968 Olympic football tournament but lost to Guinea.

In the 1970s, Gabon tried to qualify for the 1972 African Cup of Nations and the 1972 Olympic football tournament. They did not succeed. They also withdrew from the 1974 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In 1976, Gabon hosted the first Central African Games. Their football team did very well, finishing in third place. They beat Burundi and Rwanda and drew with Cameroon.

Recent Times (2010s)

Marouane Chamakh and Stephane Nguema-2, March 28 2009
Stéphane N'Guéma and Marouane Chamakh during a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match.

In the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, Gabon surprised many by beating Cameroon 1–0. They had a good chance to move forward but were eliminated. This happened because of a tie-breaker rule based on goals scored.

Gabon co-hosted the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. They won all their group matches. These wins included a dramatic 3–2 victory over Morocco. In that game, Gabon scored the winning goal in the last moments. They reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1996. However, they lost to Mali in a penalty shootout. Star player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a penalty.

For the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Gabon had a tough time. They lost points because they used a player who wasn't allowed to play. Even with a hat-trick (three goals) from Aubameyang in one game, they did not qualify.

Gabon also tried to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations but lost to Togo. In 2015, they qualified for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. They finished first in their group. However, they had a surprising early exit from the tournament.

Team Kit Sponsors

The Gabon national team has had different companies make their uniforms over the years.

Kit providers Period
Italy Airness 2006-2010
Germany Puma 2012-2016
Germany Adidas 2017-2018
Italy Kappa 2019-2023
Germany Puma 2024-

Coaching History

Many coaches have led the Gabon national football team over the years.

  • France Jean Prouff (1960)
  • France Robert Vicot (1979)
  • France Alain de Martigny (1985–1986)
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Nedeljko Bulatović (1986–1987)
  • Gabon Alain Da Costa (1987–1989, 1994–1997, 2000–2002)
  • Germany Karl-Heinz Weigang (1989–1994)
  • Gabon Edouard Eroumbengani (1989–1991)
  • France Robert Pintenat (1991–1992)
  • Belgium Jean Thissen (1992–1994)
  • France Serge Devèze (1997–1998)
  • Brazil Antônio Dumas (1998–2000)
  • Gabon Claude Rayelomanan (2000)
  • Belgium Michel De Wolf (2002–2003)
  • Gabon Claude Albert Mbourounot (2003)
  • Brazil Jairzinho (2003–2005)
  • Gabon Raphaël Nzamba-Nzamba (2005–2006)
  • France Alain Giresse (2006–2010)
  • Germany Gernot Rohr (2010–2012)
  • Portugal Paulo Jorge Rebelo Duarte (2012–2013)
  • Gabon Stéphane Bounguendza (2014)
  • Portugal Jorge Costa (2014–2016)
  • Portugal José António Garrido (2016)
  • Spain José Antonio Camacho (2016–2018)
  • Gabon Daniel Cousin (2018–2019)
  • France Patrice Neveu (2019–2023)
  • Gabon Thierry Mouyouma (2023–present)

Coaching Staff

Here are the people who help coach and manage the Gabon national football team.

Position Name
Head coach Gabon Thierry Mouyouma
Assistant coaches Gabon Ghislain Abessolo
Gabon François Nguema
Goalkeeping coach Gabon Didier Ovono
Fitness coach Gabon Ambroise Engome
Match analyst Gabon Philippe Ndoutou
Performance coach Gabon Fabrice Moubouyou
Team doctors Gabon Dr. Claude Moundoungou
Gabon Dr. Guillaume Mve Ayong
Physiotherapists Gabon Jean-Pierre Eyi Ebong
Gabon Maurice Mba Mezui
Gabon Jules Moubamba
Gabon Patrice Bivigou
Team coordinator Gabon Lucien Nziengui
Technical director Gabon Jean-Baptiste Ekomo Oyono

Players

Current Squad

These players were chosen for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification games in September 2024.

The numbers for games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of September 10, 2024.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Loyce Mbaba (1998-05-04) 4 May 1998 (age 27) 4 0 Gabon AS Mangasport
1GK Anse Ngoubi Demba (2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 (age 25) 3 0 France US Raon-l'Étape
1GK Loïc Owono (1999-09-18) 18 September 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Equatorial Guinea 15 de Agosto
2DF Bruno Ecuele Manga (1988-07-16) 16 July 1988 (age 36) 106 9 France Niort
2DF Aaron Appindangoyé (1992-02-20) 20 February 1992 (age 33) 67 2 Turkey Kocaelispor
2DF Alex Moucketou-Moussounda (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 (age 24) 21 1 Cyprus Aris Limassol
2DF Anthony Oyono (2001-04-12) 12 April 2001 (age 24) 18 0 Italy Frosinone
2DF Jacques Ekomié (2003-08-19) 19 August 2003 (age 21) 10 0 France Angers
2DF Jérémy Oyono (2001-04-12) 12 April 2001 (age 24) 7 0 Italy Frosinone
2DF Urie-Michel Mboula (2003-04-30) 30 April 2003 (age 22) 2 0 Turkey Şanlıurfaspor
2DF Yannis M'Bemba (2001-07-01) 1 July 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Netherlands Dordrecht
3MF Guélor Kanga (1990-08-01) 1 August 1990 (age 34) 72 3 Serbia Red Star Belgrade
3MF Mario Lemina (1993-09-01) 1 September 1993 (age 31) 32 3 England Wolverhampton Wanderers
3MF Serge-Junior Ngouali (1992-01-23) 23 January 1992 (age 33) 16 0 Norway Sarpsborg
3MF Eric Bocoum (1996-03-10) 10 March 1996 (age 29) 5 0 Iran Gol Gohar Sirjan
3MF Roy Mouniengue (2005-12-01) 1 December 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Gabon Stade Mandji
3MF Brimau Nziengui (2001-01-24) 24 January 2001 (age 24) 1 0 France Villers-Houlgate
4FW Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (1989-06-18) 18 June 1989 (age 36) 79 33 Saudi Arabia Al Qadsiah
4FW Denis Bouanga (1994-11-11) 11 November 1994 (age 30) 42 9 United States Los Angeles FC
4FW Jim Allevinah (1995-02-27) 27 February 1995 (age 30) 26 8 France Angers
4FW David Sambissa (1996-01-11) 11 January 1996 (age 29) 15 0 Turkey İstanbulspor
4FW Jérémie Obounet (2002-08-17) 17 August 2002 (age 22) 5 0 Spain Antequera
4FW Rody Effaghe (2004-04-11) 11 April 2004 (age 21) 1 0 Belarus Gomel
4FW Edlin Essang-Matouti (2003-07-25) 25 July 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Algeria JS Kabylie

Recent Call-ups

These players have also been called to play for Gabon in the last year.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Junior Noubi Fotso (1999-06-20) 20 June 1999 (age 26) 3 0 France Vannes OC v.  Burundi; 19 November 2023
DF Johann Obiang (1993-07-05) 5 July 1993 (age 31) 47 0 France Pau v.  Gambia; 11 June 2024
DF Stane Essono (1998-05-28) 28 May 1998 (age 27) 1 0 Belarus Dynamo Brest v.  Gambia; 11 June 2024
DF Sidney Obissa (2000-05-04) 4 May 2000 (age 25) 11 0 France Villefranche v.  Burundi; 19 November 2023
MF Didier Ndong (1994-05-17) 17 May 1994 (age 31) 48 1 Iran Esteghlal v.  Burundi; 19 November 2023
MF Medwin Biteghé (1996-09-01) 1 September 1996 (age 28) 18 0 Saudi Arabia Jeddah v.  Gambia; 11 June 2024
MF Clech Loufilou (1999-04-12) 12 April 1999 (age 26) 8 0 Iraq Al-Minaa v.  Congo; 25 March 2024
MF Jack Lissonga (1996-02-22) 22 February 1996 (age 29) 2 0 France Avoine OCC v.  Burundi; 19 November 2023
FW Axel Méyé (1995-06-06) 6 June 1995 (age 30) 37 4 Algeria CS Constantine v.  Gambia; 11 June 2024
FW Shavy Babicka (2000-06-01) 1 June 2000 (age 25) 13 2 France Toulouse v.  Congo; 25 March 2024
FW Aaron Boupendza (1996-08-07) 7 August 1996 (age 28) 35 8 United States FC Cincinnati v.  Burundi; 19 November 2023
FW Alan Do Marcolino (2002-03-19) 19 March 2002 (age 23) 8 1 France US Quevilly v.  Burundi; 19 November 2023

DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player has retired from international football.
SUS Suspended from the national team.

Team Records

These tables show the players with the most games and most goals for Gabon.

Most Appearances

Didier Ovono
Didier Ovono has played the most games for Gabon, with 112 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Didier Ovono 112 0 2003–2019
2 François Amégasse 110 9 1984–2000
3 Bruno Ecuélé Manga 106 9 2007–present
4 Etienne Kassa-Ngoma 92 7 1985–1997
5 Cédric Moubamba 86 2 1998–2012
6 Valéry Ondo 80 12 1988–2001
7 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 79 33 2009–present
Lloyd Palun 79 1 2011–present
André Biyogo Poko 79 3 2010–present
10 Nzué Nguema 77 23 1995–2005

Top Goalscorers

1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (cropped)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Gabon's top scorer with 33 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (list) 33 79 0.42 2009–present
2 Nzué Nguema 23 77 0.3 1995–2005
3 Guy Roger Nzamba 21 47 0.45 1988–2000
4 Michel Minko 14 41 0.34 1984–1990
5 Brice Mackaya 13 43 0.3 1992–1999
Daniel Cousin 13 60 0.22 2000–2014
7 Malick Evouna 12 34 0.35 2012–2019
Valéry Ondo 12 80 0.15 1988–2001
9 Bruno Zita Mbanangoyé 11 68 0.16 1999–2012
10 Denis Bouanga 10 43 0.23 2017–present

Competition Records

This section shows how Gabon has performed in major football tournaments.

FIFA World Cup

Gabon has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1958 Part of  France Part of  France
Chile 1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
England 1966 Withdrew Withdrew
Mexico 1970 Did not enter Did not enter
West Germany 1974 Withdrew Withdrew
1978 to 1986 Did not enter Did not enter
Italy 1990 Did not qualify 6 2 0 4 5 9
United States 1994 4 2 1 1 7 5
France 1998 7 2 1 4 4 11
South Korea Japan 2002 2 1 0 1 1 2
Germany 2006 12 3 5 4 15 14
South Africa 2010 12 7 0 5 17 10
Brazil 2014 6 2 1 3 5 6
Russia 2018 8 2 3 3 3 8
Qatar 2022 6 2 1 3 7 8
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 4 3 0 1 7 5
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total — 0/15 – – – – – – 67 26 12 29 71 78

Africa Cup of Nations

Gabon has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations eight times. Their best result is reaching the quarter-finals.

Main article: Gabon at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 Part of  France Part of  France
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970 Did not enter Did not enter
Cameroon 1972 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 3
Egypt 1974 Withdrew Withdrew
Ethiopia 1976 Did not enter Did not enter
Ghana 1978 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 5 6
Nigeria 1980 Did not enter Did not enter
Libya 1982 Withdrew Withdrew
Ivory Coast 1984 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 2 6
Egypt 1986 2 0 1 1 1 3
Morocco 1988 2 1 0 1 1 1
Algeria 1990 6 3 0 3 6 6
Senegal 1992 6 2 3 1 3 2
Tunisia 1994 Group stage 12th 2 0 0 2 0 7 6 4 2 0 10 2
South Africa 1996 Quarter-finals 7th 3 1 1 1 4 3 4 3 0 1 8 2
Burkina Faso 1998 Did not qualify 6 1 4 1 5 5
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Group stage 16th 3 0 1 2 2 6 8 5 1 2 15 10
Mali 2002 Did not qualify 8 3 3 2 13 10
Tunisia 2004 6 2 0 4 7 7
Egypt 2006 12 3 5 4 15 14
Ghana 2008 4 2 1 1 6 5
Angola 2010 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 2 2 6 4 0 2 8 3
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 2012 Quarter-finals 5th 4 3 1 0 7 3 Qualified as hosts
South Africa 2013 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 2 3
Equatorial Guinea 2015 Group stage 12th 3 1 0 2 2 3 6 3 3 0 9 4
Gabon 2017 9th 3 0 3 0 2 2 Qualified as host
Egypt 2019 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 7 5
Cameroon 2021 Round of 16 12th 4 1 3 0 5 4 6 3 1 2 8 6
Ivory Coast 2023 Did not qualify 6 2 1 3 3 5
Morocco 2025 6 3 1 2 7 9
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined To be determined
2029
Total Quarter-finals 8/34 25 7 10 8 24 27 116 43 30 43 135 108

African Nations Championship

  • 2009 – Did not qualify
  • 2011 – Group stage
  • 2014 – Quarter-finals
  • 2016 – Group stage
  • 2018 – Withdrew
  • 2020 – Banned
  • 2022 – Did not enter

Honours

Regional Trophies

  • CEMAC Cup
    • Champions: 2013
    • Runners-up: 2007
    • Third place: 2005, 2006
  • UDEAC Cup
    • Champions: 1985, 1988
    • Third place: 1987, 1989
  • UNIFAC Cup
    • Champions: 1999
  • Central African Games
    • Bronze medal: 1976, 1981

Images for kids

  • Marouane Chamakh and Stephane Nguema-2, March 28 2009

    Stéphane N'Guéma and Marouane Chamakh during a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Gabón para niños

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