AFCON 2015: Gabon Aim for Breakthrough as Dark Horses Under Jorge Costa
Gabon enters the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as one of the tournament’s most promising outsiders. With a squad brimming with youthful energy and emerging talent, the Panthers are eyeing a deep run as they compete in their sixth continental tournament.
Drawn into Group A alongside hosts Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Congo, Gabon is widely seen as a favourite to progress to the quarter-finals. Having already faced Burkina Faso twice during the qualifiers, the Panthers are familiar with their toughest group rivals. But as Congo proved in the qualifiers, underdogs can no longer be underestimated on the African stage.
A New Era Under Jorge Costa
Since taking charge in the summer of 2014, Portuguese manager Jorge Costa has helped instil greater tactical discipline and belief within the team. Gabon qualified for the tournament by topping their group and collecting 11 points from six matches — a feat made even more impressive considering they played without star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the final two games.
Now with a fully fit squad, Costa’s side has the tools to better their previous best — quarter-final finishes in 1996 and 2012. The latter campaign ended in heartbreak as Gabon, co-hosting the tournament with Equatorial Guinea, were eliminated by Mali on penalties.
Aubameyang Leads the Charge
All eyes will be on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, recently named among the final three nominees for the 2014 CAF African Player of the Year award. Since his move from Saint-Étienne to Borussia Dortmund, the former AC Milan youth product has become one of Africa’s most dynamic and prolific forwards. He has been handed the captain’s armband by Jorge Costa — a signal of his growing leadership role within the squad.
The 25-year-old’s pace, finishing, and big-match experience make him Gabon’s primary weapon in Equatorial Guinea. His performances could be decisive in how far the team goes.
Rising Talent: Didier Ndong
Another name to watch is Didier Ibrahim Ndong, the energetic midfielder who recently signed for Lorient in France’s Ligue 1. A product of CMS Libreville and a CAF Confederation Cup winner with CS Sfaxien, Ndong has already earned 10 international caps and is poised to become a central figure in Gabon’s midfield.
“Lorient is a great place for me to grow,” said Ndong. “It’s a young team with a good style of play. I’ll have to fight for my place, but it’s a fantastic opportunity.”
Tournament Schedule (Group A)
Jan 17: Burkina Faso vs Gabon (16:00 GMT)
Jan 21: Gabon vs Congo (19:00 GMT)
Jan 25: Equatorial Guinea vs Gabon (18:00 GMT)
Squad Overview
Gabon’s squad features a strong European presence, with key players based in France, Germany, Belgium, and beyond. Their typical 4-3-3 setup includes:
Likely Starting XI:
Didier Ovono – Lloyd Palun, Bruno Ecuélé Manga, Yrondu Musavu King, Benjamin Ze Ondo – André Biyogho Poko, Didier Ndong, Lévy Madinda – Frédéric Bulot, Malick Evouna, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
As Gabon prepares for its AFCON opener against Burkina Faso, expectations are rising. With the right balance of experience and youthful ambition, the Panthers may well be ready to pounce and rewrite their continental history.
