Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Gabon and Gambia square off against each other at Stade de Franceville in what is expected to be an interesting World Cup qualifier. Gabon are eager to put an end to their three-game winless run in all competitions, but Tuesday’s clash will be anything but a walk in the park for Thierry Mouyouma’s troops. As always, a man to watch in the home team will be Olympic Marseille striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Scorpions, on the other hand, rolled over Seychelles 5-1 in their last qualifying match, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Gabon. As aforementioned forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang enjoyed a very successful season with OM, home win should definitely be considered. Gabon defenders should have Mohamed Badamosi at bay as the 25-year-old forward scored a brace against Seychelles. In their last meeting in a competitive match Gambia emerged triumphant, meaning that the Panthers are hungry for revenge.
Highlighted Player (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang):
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the most famous Gabonese player and he is the first footballer from Gabon to appear in Bundesliga. Aubameyang played for the likes of Dijon, Lille, Monaco and St. Etienne in the past before joining Borussia Dortmund on July, 2013. The pacey attacker signed a five-year contract with the Millionaires and he has been producing outstanding performances with the Signal-Iduna-Park outfit ever since.
Aubameyang impressed in the 2015–16 Bundesliga, scoring 25 goals in 31 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, but that did not help Thomas Tuchel’s men win the domestic trophy. Speaking of his international career, the 187-cm-tall striker made his Gabon debut on 25 March, 2009 and he scored his first goal for the national team in a 3-2 win over Morocco.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helped Gabon make it to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. It has to be noted, though, that he played for France U-21 team in the past. Aubameyang was born in Laval, France on 18 June, 1989.
Highlighted Team (Gabon):
Gabon made their international debut in April 1960, with the team participating in L’Amitie tournament and it has to be noted that les Pantheres (the Panthers) were beaten by Burkina Faso in their first match. The Gabonese national football team have yet to participate at the World Cup finals, but they did well to make it to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on two occasions.
Les Pantheres were eliminated by Tunisia at the 1996 African Cup of Nations, while Mali proved to be a big catch for Gabon at the 2012 tournament. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is probably the most notable footballer who plays for Gabon and the Borussia Dortmund striker scored three goals for the national team at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, but he missed a penalty in the quarter-finals against Mali.
Gabon clinched the UNIFAC Cup title in 1999, while winning UDEAC Championship in 1985 and 1988. Stade Omar Bongo is considered Gabon’s home stadium.