Gabon Football Federation closes in on new coach

The hunt for the next Gabon national team coach is getting to its logical conclusion ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Some 430 coaches drawn from Africa and beyond applied for the Panthers’ job, leaving the selection committee overwhelmed.

Now, the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) has closed in on the new coach after shortlisting the top-three from the 430 applicants.

Gabon FA gives major update

In a statement, FEGAFOOT confirms that the selection committee presented its report to the executive committee.

“The executive committee of the Federation Gabonaise de Football announces the handover ceremony of a report by the committee in charge of the recruitment of the national [team] selector, to the Executive Committee of the federation,” reads part of the statement.

Why Gabon wants a new coach

Whoever will emerge successful, will have the 2027 AFCON qualifiers as his first competitive assignment.The new coach will replace Thierry Mouyouma who lost his job after an underwhelming 2025 AFCON campaign in Morocco.

Gabon struggled at the AFCON finals in Morocco where they failed to win a single game in Group F, losing 1-0 to Cameroon, 3-2 at the hands of Mozambique and Ivory Coast (3-2).

Such a poor run of results prompted the Government of Gabon to suspend the national team’s striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang alongside captain Bruno Ecuélé Manga while dissolving the coaching panel.

The duo’s suspension was lifted, but Mouyouma did not get a second chance.