World Cup (Q): Will Gabon’s recruitment efforts help them take the final step?

After nearly a decade of relying on the “Old Guard” to produce results, the Gabon national team is making one last push for a debut World Cup appearance while looking to the future. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga along with defensive stalwarts like Bruno Ecuele Manga and Andre Biyogo Poko continue to play key roles for the Panthers.

But with all of these players now over the age of 30 years, in most cases well into their twilights, the reality of a post-Aubameyang era continued to loom as Gabon’s struggles for a breakthrough continued in the Africa Cup of Nations and previous World Cup qualifying attempts.

But with a World Cup qualifying playoff ahead in the African region, beginning with a semifinal clash against Nigeria on Thursday, qualification will require contributions from the supporting cast in order to win the four-team playoff hosted by Morocco which also includes Cameroon and DR Congo. The winner of this playoff will qualify for the inter-continental playoff tournament next March in Mexico.

Who is leading Gabon’s recruitment efforts?

Head coach Thierry Mouyouma, a former member of the national team, is giving stars like Aubameyang and Bouanga their proper respect as key members of the present while making plans for the future. Having a Gabonese braintrust in charge is bringing the necessary urgency to planning for the future after many years of foreign coaches in pursuit of short-term achievements.

Mouyouma along with national team general manager Dieudonné Londo, both former national team players, stated their mission to refresh the player pool and brought in another former Panthers star, Fabrice do Marcolino, specifically to recruit European-based players from the Gabonese diaspora.

Like many African national teams, Gabon increased their efforts to recruit dual national players but there are also several players developed in Gabonese domestic football. Defenders Alex Moucketou-Moussounda and Mick Omfia as well as goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba, both developed at top local club Mangasport, are in contention to contribute in the playoff.

Mbaba, the undisputed starter between the sticks, is the most consequential player from the group of domestically developed players who has had some shaky moments in qualifying. Another talented defender, FC Metz player Urie-Michel Mboula, is unfortunately injured this month but has made great strides in European club football to rise from playing in Moldova to the French top division. Algeria-based attacker Randy Essang-Matouti is another versatile option as well (video below).

Gabon counts on dual national recruits to boost World Cup hopes

But make no mistake, the dual national recruits are the most notable upgrades who could make the difference against Nigeria. Do Marcolino brought in two of his sons, towering striker Alan and defender Jonathan, as part of the effort. Giant defender Yannis M’Bemba is another capable option in the center while left back Jacques Ekomié joins twin brothers Anthony and Jérémy Oyono, all French born, to fortify the defensive flanks.

But the most notable recruit for the elder do Marcelino may be in the attack. Bryan Meyo, a 19-year-old striker currently in the reserve team of Olympique Lyonnais, is making a strong impression after previously representing birth country France at youth level.

A clever dribbler with pace who can play in any position on the forward line, the teenager could be a potential wildcard for Mouyouma off the bench and a potential star for the future. An impressive goal on his Gabon debut in a friendly against Guinea-Bissau (video above) was followed a few months later by his first competitive Panthers goal against Burundi to finish off the group stage of qualifying.

Mouyouma is doing well to give these players important moments to prove themselves. When Aubameyang was suspended for the final qualifying group stage match against Burundi, Alan do Marcelino (highlight video below from his time in French football) got the nod at the striker position before making way for Meyo to score in a substitute role.

The coach also continued to experiment with his defense during qualifying and friendly matches. The Oyono brothers and Ekomié each have over ten appearances with the national team now, with Ekomié earning a start against group rivals Ivory Coast. Noha Lemina, the 20-year-old younger brother of veteran star midfielder Mario Lemina, is also being incorporated into the team.

On Thursday, when the African playoff for World Cup qualification begins against Nigeria, it will be a very familiar Gabon team. But if the Panthers take the final step and overcome sub-Saharan African powerhouses like the Super Eagles, Cameroon and DR Congo to display the country on the biggest world stage, their efforts to incorporate new talent into the team might be the difference between qualification and another failure.