Gabon head coach Thierry Mouyouma has expressed readiness for the clash against Nigeria in the CAF World Cup qualifier playoffs on Thursday.
The Panthers and the Super Eagles go head to head at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Morocco, with a final clash against either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo next Sunday.
They narrowly missed out on an automatic ticket from Group F after finishing second with 25 points, one point behind group winners Ivory Coast.
Gabon then finished as one of the best-ranked second-placed teams, and will battle through the playoffs to stand any chance of reaching next year’s event.
“In a few days, my team and I will face a major African footballing nation: Nigeria. This playoff match represents a turning point for us, as it could pave our way to the World Cup”, Mouyouma said in a statement on social media.
“As I said recently. We have a dream: to go to the World Cup. And that dream still exists. We will do everything in our power to achieve it.
“Because the most important thing is not just to dream big, but to give ourselves the ability to make it happen”, he continued.
Gabon enjoyed an impressive qualifying campaign, winning eight of their 10 matches.
However, they must first overcome the Super Eagles before heading to the final on Sunday, looking to qualify for a first appearance on the big stage.
The winner of the playoff final then goes ahead to play in the intercontinental playoffs where they face a country from either Asia, Oceania or South America.
“So let’s stay focused for this Thursday, November 13, during the Gabon vs. Nigeria match.
“And if we win, we will face the winners of the DRC-Cameroon match.
To you, dear Gabonese people, your support is our fuel. Let’s keep believing”, he concluded.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
