Gabon return to the spotlight of African football at the Africa Cup 2025, eager to write a new chapter in their history. Known proudly as The Panthers, the nation is determined to overcome past disappointments and push beyond early exits that have too often defined their campaigns. With an experienced generation, an ambitious coach and the enduring brilliance of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon are hoping not just to take part, but to finally make a lasting impact on the continent’s biggest stage.
- Nickname: The Panthers
- Head coach: Thierry Mouyouma
- Football Association: Fédération Gabonaise de Football
- AFCON appearances: 8 times
- FIFA ranking: 79
Gabon’s Match Schedule
Gabon has been drawn into Group F, alongside Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Mozambique. Below is their full group stage schedule, including dates, times and venues. So you know exactly when to follow the Panthers.
| 24 December | Group stage |
 Cameroon Gabon | 1 0 |
| 28 December | Group stage |
Gabon Mozambique | 2 3 |
| 31 December | Group stage |
Gabon Côte d’Ivoire | 2 3 |
Stats Gabon AFCON 2025
Top scorer
| # | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 1 |
| 2. | Denis Bouanga | 1 |
| 3. | Guélor Kanga | 1 |
| 4. | Alex Moucketou-Moussounda | 1 |
Assists
Gabon didn’t register an assist on AFCON 2025.
Rating
| # | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Denis Bouanga | 7,1 |
| 2. | Guélor Kanga | 7,1 |
| 3. | Didier N’Dong | 7,0 |
| 4. | Mick Onfia | 6,9 |
| 5. | A. Moucketou-Moussounda | 6,9 |
| 6. | Jacques Ekomié | 6,8 |
| 7. | Royce Openda | 6,8 |
| 8. | André Poko | 6,7 |
| 9. | Mario Lemina | 6,6 |
| 10. | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 6,6 |
Gabon Squad
Keepers:
Loyce Mbaba (Stella Club), Anse Ngoubi Demba (Mosta FC), Junior Bekale (JS Kairouan)
Defenders:
Anthony Oyono (Frosinone), Jérémy Oyono (Frosinone), Johann Obiang (US Orléans), Jacques Ekomie (Angers), Aaron Appindangoyé (Sivasspor), Bruno Ecuele Manga (Paris 12 Atl.), Alex Moucketou (Aris Limassol), Mick Onfia (Hafia FC), Jonathan Do Marcolino (Bourg-en-Bresse), Michel Mboula (FC Metz)
Midfielders:
Mario Lemina (Galatasaray), Samake Nze (Stade d’Abidjan), Guelor Kanga (Esenler Erokspor), Eric Bocoum (Gol Gohar), André Poko (Amed SK), Ruben Loufilou (Al-Mina’a SC), Ibrahim Ndong (Esteghlal FC)
Attackers:
Shavy Babicka (Rode Ster), Teddy Averlant (Amiens), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Edlin Essang-Matouti (USM Khenchela), Malick Evouna (Mangasport), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille), Royce Openda (G. Bordeaux), Jim Allevinah (Angers)
Head Coach Gabon
Since taking charge in October 2023, former international Thierry Mouyouma has brought fresh energy to the national side. With 82 caps as a player and three domestic titles as coach of FC 105 in Gabon, he combines experience with a clear vision. After the disappointment of missing AFCON 2023, Mouyouma rebuilt the squad and guided Gabon to a strong qualification for 2025. Remarkably, he became only the second Gabonese coach to lead the team to the finals, following in the footsteps of Alain Da Costa Soares.
Star Player Gabon
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains the undisputed icon of Gabonese football. The striker enjoyed a stunning resurgence at Olympique de Marseille in 2023/24, scoring 30 goals in all competitions (the first player to reach that tally at the club since Didier Drogba nearly two decades earlier). He was named UEFA Europa League Player of the Season and earned a place in the Team of the Season. After a year in Saudi Arabia with Al-Qadsiah, Aubameyang returned to Marseille on a free transfer in July 2025.
Internationally, he is Gabon’s all-time top scorer with 30 goals in 72 appearances. Though he announced his retirement in 2022, he made a surprise return the following year, encouraged in part by Gabon’s president, to reclaim his role as captain and talisman. For both club and country, Aubameyang remains a symbol of leadership, experience, and world-class talent.
Gabon AFCON History
Though not among Africa’s traditional giants, Gabon have built a respectable record at the Africa Cup of Nations. Since their debut in 1994, The Panthers have qualified several times and earned a reputation as a dangerous opponent, especially when backed by their passionate supporters.
Their best results came in 1996 and 2012, both times reaching the quarterfinals. The 2012 edition, which Gabon co-hosted with Equatorial Guinea, is remembered as their highlight, with Aubameyang inspiring the team to historic victories in the group stage. However, the semifinals have so far remained out of reach, as inconsistency has often held them back. Each new tournament, though, brings renewed hope that Gabon can finally break into Africa’s elite.
Road to AFCON 2025
Gabon’s qualification campaign for AFCON 2025 was inconsistent but ultimately successful. They secured second place in their group behind the dominant Morocco. Although heavily beaten twice by the group winners, The Panthers made up for it with solid victories against Lesotho and the Central African Republic. Built on strong defensive performances, these results ensured Gabon’s return to Africa’s biggest football stage.
| Friday 6 September 2024 | |
 Morocco Gabon | 4 1 |
| Tuesday 10 September 2024 | |
Gabon Central African Republic | 2 0 |
| Friday 11 October 2024 | |
Gabon Lesotho | 0 0 |
| Tuesday 15 October 2024 | |
| Lesotho Gabon | 0 2 |
| Monday 11 November 2024 | |
| Gabon Morocco | 1 5 |
| Tuesday 19 November 2024 | |
| Central African Republic Gabon | 0 1 |
| Team | PTS | G | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 18 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | +24 |
| Gabon | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | -2 |
| Lesotho | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -11 |
| Central African Rep. | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -11 |
Stats
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 2 |
| 2. | Shavy Babicka | 2 |
| 3. | Rody Junior Effaghe | 1 |
| 4. | Denis Bouanga | 1 |
| 5. | Guélor Kanga | 1 |
Assists
| Player | Assists | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Guélor Kanga | 2 |
| 2. | Denis Bouanga | 1 |
| 3. | Jim Allevinah | 1 |
Players Rating
| Player | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Guélor Kanga | 7,7 |
| 2. | Denis Bouanga | 7,5 |
| 3. | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 7,3 |
| 4. | Mario Lemina | 7,2 |
| 5. | Bruno Ecuele Manga | 7,2 |
| 6. | Jim Allevinah | 7,0 |
| 7. | Shavy Babicka | 6,9 |
| 8. | Serge-Junior Ngouali | 6,9 |
| 9. | Medwin Biteghé | 6,9 |
| 10. | Jacques Ekomie | 6,9 |