AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Migné demands unity from Gabon ahead of Morocco clash

Gabon coach Sébastien Migné has called for greater collective effort and team spirit as the Panthers prepare to face Morocco in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Migné, who was appointed Gabon coach in July, has overseen preparations in Morocco, with his team holding training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Moulay Rachid Sports Complex for Youth and Childhood in Bouznika, around 40 kilometres from Rabat.

Migné demands right attitude from Gabon players

The French coach placed particular emphasis on his players’ attitudes during the opening training sessions, rather than focusing solely on technical and tactical work.

“I am rather strict about that, especially at the beginning of this project. I liked the attitudes during today’s session (Tuesday),” Migné said, according to Gabonese newspaper L’Union.

The coach also addressed Gabon’s difficult period in recent months and called for greater cohesion within the squad.

“We have been struggling for a few months, we are not stronger than the others. We need to find something collectively, through our associations and our connections with one another, to reverse the trend,” the coach said.

Migné’s reference to being “not stronger than the others” was made in the context of Gabon’s broader situation and his call for a collective solution. He did not specifically say that Gabon was “not stronger than Morocco”.

Gabon coach looking beyond Morocco result

Migné’s comments came as Gabon prepare for Friday’s meeting with Morocco, with L’Union describing the hosts as an “ogre” ahead of the encounter.

Despite the immediate challenge, Migné said he was also looking beyond the result of a single match.

“I see things in the long term. In every match, we will go in with a winning attitude, but it was important to get back on the field and feel them,” he said.

The Gabon coach also stressed the importance of every part of his team working together, from defence to attack.

“Everything is connected. From the goalkeeper to the striker, everything is connected, offensively and defensively. When the goalkeeper has the ball, my striker needs to be involved because he can offer him a solution at any moment,” Migné said.

Migné wants Gabon players to enjoy national team duty

The coach also expressed satisfaction with his decision to take charge of Gabon and said he wants his players to enjoy representing their national team.

“This only convinces me that I made the right choice by joining you. I want to feel that the guys are happy to be part of the den,” the coach added.

Migné will now look to turn that collective approach into a competitive performance against Morocco.

The match is scheduled for Friday, September 25, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat. It will be Gabon’s first match in Group A of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.