Head coach Sébastien Migné has been hit by two withdrawals ahead of Gabon’s double header against Lesotho and has called in goalkeeper Joël Eyaga Mbore and striker Alan Do Marcolino as reinforcements, according to Union/Sonapresse.
Preparations for the Panthers in Bongoville came with an unexpected turn. François Junior Bekale, who fell unwell on Sunday on the plane taking him to Franceville, was evacuated to Libreville, Union/Sonapresse reports. Migné must do without him before the visit of Lesotho on Friday at the Stade de Franceville.
The Gabonese staff reacted quickly. According to the same source, Migné has called in Joël Eyaga Mbore, the Mangasport goalkeeper who is new to the squad, along with Alan Do Marcolino (8 caps, 1 goal), who returns to the national team after a year away. The two call-ups cover the two withdrawals recorded by the head coach in the CAN 2027 qualifiers.
Mbina’s case still unresolved
Union/Sonapresse also reports that Orphé Mbina, a scorer in the Champions League with Sabah FC, is suffering from a groin injury. The source does not say whether he will pull out of the camp: unlike Bekale, who was evacuated to Libreville, his situation remains uncertain for now.
The staff therefore had to widen their squad in a hurry, with two very different profiles: a goalkeeper discovering the national team, and a striker who already knows the Gabonese setup.
Do Marcolino back after a year
With 8 caps and 1 goal, Alan Do Marcolino returns to the Panthers after a year away.
For Joël Eyaga Mbore, it is a first taste of the national team.
Lesotho next, still without a point
The Panthers host Lesotho on Friday 13 November at the Stade de Franceville, before the return match on Tuesday 17 November at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, according to Africa Top Sports. Lesotho head coach Bob Mafoso has named a squad led by Sekhoane Moerane, Thabo Makhele and Motebang Sera, the latter one goal away from Jane Thabants’o’s record.
In the Group A table, Morocco have 6 points, Gabon and Niger 3, and Lesotho 0, according to FootballDatabase. Mafoso’s men lost their first two matches, against Niger and Morocco, and have now suffered 9 consecutive away defeats in CAN qualifiers since 17 June 2001, again according to FootballDatabase.
Gabon, on 3 points, will therefore play two matches four days apart, against a Lesotho side yet to claim a single point.