**Gabon Coach Jorge Costa Names Squad for October Friendlies, Welcomes New Faces**
Gabon head coach Jorge Costa has revealed his squad for the upcoming October international friendlies against Tunisia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with one notable inclusion marking a fresh chapter for the Panthers.
The main highlight is the first call-up of midfielder Ulysse Ndong, currently playing for Ermis Aradippou FC in Cyprus. Alongside him, Mario Lemina—yet to make his senior debut for Gabon despite his prominence at Juventus—returns to the fold and is expected to be a key figure in the team.
Absent from the squad is Lorient defender Ibrahim Ndong, who remains at odds with the coaching staff and has been omitted from the selections.
Gabon will face Tunisia in Tunis on October 9 before traveling to Brussels for a clash with DR Congo on October 12. These fixtures serve as crucial preparation for the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers scheduled for November.
The full squad list is as follows:
**Goalkeepers:**
* Didier Ovono Ebang (KV Oostende)
* Anthony M’fa Mezui (RFC Seraing)
* Stéphane Bitseki Moto (CF Mounana)
**Defenders:**
* Lloyd Palun (Red Star FC)
* Yrondy Musavu King (Grenada)
* Benjamin Ze Ondo (Mouloudia Club Oujda)
* Bruno Ecuélé Manga (Cardiff City)
* Henri Junior Ndong Ngaleu (AJ Auxerre)
* Johan Obiang (Berrichonne Chateauroux)
* Junior Randal Oto Zué (Clube Deportivo Tondela)
* Aaron Christopher Ondele Appidangoye (Evian TG)
**Midfielders:**
* Merlin Abdoulaye Tandjinga Koumba (Leixoes SC)
* André Biyogho Pocko (Girondins de Bordeaux)
* Mario René Junior Lemina (Juventus Turin)
* Samson Mbingui (Nasr Athletic Hussein Dey)
* Levy Madinda (RC Celta Vigo)
* Guelor Kanga Kaku (FK Rostov)
* Franck Steven Lyck Engongah Obame (El Geish)
* Ulysse Daryl Obame Ndong (Ermis Aradippou FC)
**Forwards:**
* Pierre-Emerick Emiliano Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)
* Malick Evouna (Al Ahly)
* Frédéric Bulot Wagha (Stade de Reims)
* Johan Diderot Lengoualama Boukamba (Olympique Club Safi)
With the World Cup qualifiers looming, Costa’s squad aims to build cohesion and sharpen their competitive edge in these friendlies, setting the stage for a crucial campaign ahead.
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