Denis Bouanga missed a penalty before scoring both of Gabon’s goals against Lesotho (2-0) on Friday 13 November in Franceville, on matchday 3 of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
In the 64th minute, Denis Bouanga, the Gabon international forward, missed his penalty. A minute later, he opened the scoring from a pass by Guélor Kanga, the Gabon international midfielder, before converting a penalty in the 79th minute. Gabon beat Lesotho 2-0 on Friday 13 November in Franceville in Group A matchday 3 of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, according to Sport News Africa and Benin Web TV.
The Panthers were level at 0-0 at half-time, however, despite winning five corners in the first half, according to Africa Top Sports and Benin Web TV. The stats confirm Gabon’s control: 67% possession and 18 shots, 7 of them on target, against 15 shots, 5 on target, for Lesotho, Sport News Africa reports. Bouanga started in a 4-3-3 alongside Jim Allevinah and Rody Junior Effaghe, according to Futbol24.
A brace that changes everything
Bouanga’s missed penalty in the 64th minute did not slow Gabon’s attack: a minute later he opened the scoring from a Guélor Kanga pass, according to Benin Web TV. The same Bouanga scored the second goal in the 79th minute from the penalty spot, according to Sport News Africa. The brace came as the Panthers dominated the match, with 67% possession and 18 shots, 7 of them on target.
It is not the first time Bouanga has scored in these qualifiers. In the 2-0 win over Niger in Franceville on 29 September, he had already scored Gabon’s second goal, Benin Web TV recalls.
A first half without a breakthrough
Despite winning five corners before half-time, Gabon could not find a way through a solid Lesotho side, according to Africa Top Sports and Benin Web TV. The 0-0 at the break reflected dominance without reward, before Bouanga broke the deadlock just after the hour mark.
Lesotho, for their part, had their chances: 15 shots, 5 of them on target, according to Sport News Africa.
Group A in their sights
With this win, Gabon have 6 points after three matchdays, while Lesotho remain on 0, according to Sport News Africa and Foot Mercato. Morocco lead Group A. The Panthers had begun these qualifiers with a 2-0 defeat to Morocco before beating Niger (2-0), Benin Web TV recalls.
The next chapter comes as early as Tuesday 17 November, with the return match against Lesotho on matchday 4 of Group A.