Denis Bouanga scored twice against Lesotho (2-0) in 2027 AFCON qualifying, including a header from a corner, after missing a penalty. The Los Angeles FC striker now has 20 goals in 58 caps for Gabon.
Denis Bouanga had won a penalty against Lesotho, then missed it. The Los Angeles FC striker made amends by opening the scoring with a header at the near post from a Kanga corner, before sealing the Panthers’ win (2-0) by converting, just after the hour mark, the second penalty won by his national team. The victory came in 2027 AFCON qualifying.
According to Union (Sonapresse), the brace takes Bouanga’s tally to 20 goals in 58 caps for Gabon, including three in the current qualifying campaign. It comes as his club prepares to play the MLS playoffs.
A header to erase the miss
The sequence summed up the LAFC striker’s evening. First a penalty he had won himself, then a missed shot. From a Kanga corner, he directed his header inside the near post to open the scoring.
The Gabon midfielder Kanga was the source of that corner. The second goal came from another penalty, won by the Panthers and converted by the same Bouanga just after the hour mark, according to Union (Sonapresse).
Silent in MLS, decisive with the Panthers
The contrast with the end of his club season is stark: Los Angeles FC’s all-time top scorer had drawn a blank in his last three MLS outings, Union (Sonapresse) recalls. His season remains prolific, with 18 goals and 9 assists, the team’s best combined attacking return, according to Chosun.
The club finished 6th in the Western Conference and face St. Louis City in the playoffs. According to Chosun and MLS, Bouanga’s positioning could determine LAFC’s success in this phase: his best position is left winger, but he often played as a centre-forward late in the season.
Migné wants more precision
Head coach Sébastien Migné praised his striker’s efficiency and leadership in the press conference, while calling for “more composure and precision” in the final ball, Union (Sonapresse) reports.
The Panthers’ next fixtures in 2027 AFCON qualifying are still to come. Bouanga, for his part, returns to the MLS playoffs with LAFC against St. Louis City.