Sébastien Migné will begin his competitive tenure as Gabon head coach without the country’s most prominent recent attacking figure, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, when the Panthers open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Migné has named a 24-man squad for Gabon’s opening two qualifiers, with a difficult trip to face Morocco on September 25 followed by a meeting with Niger four days later.
The new coach has retained a strong core of experienced internationals, with Denis Bouanga, Mario Lemina and Guélor Kanga among the leading names in the squad.
The September fixtures will mark Gabon’s first international matches since Aubameyang ended his career with the national team following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward was a key figure for the Panthers for more than a decade, leaving Migné with the task of developing a new attacking structure as the team begins a different cycle.
Bouanga is among the players expected to assume greater responsibility in attack. The forward has been included alongside Shavy Babicka, Jim Allevinah, Teddy Andami, Orphé Mbina, Jordi Ella and Junior Effaghe.
Migné will also have considerable experience available in midfield, led by Lemina, who is joined by Kanga, André Poko, Ibrahim Ndong and Henrick Do Marcolino.
The squad also contains nine defenders, including brothers Anthony and Jérémy Oyono, Jacques Ekomie and Aaron Appindangoye.
Jean-Noël Amonome, Lucas Mouguenou and Junior Bekale are the three goalkeepers selected for the opening qualifying window.
Gabon’s first test will be particularly demanding, with Migné taking his new-look side to Morocco on September 25 before the Panthers face Niger four days later.
The two matches will give the French coach his first competitive opportunity to establish his approach and assess how Gabon can move forward without Aubameyang as the national team enters a new era.
