Gabon returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau on Monday evening in an international friendly held at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, Morocco.
After suffering a narrow 5-4 defeat against Niger last week, the Panthers came into the encounter determined to bounce back.
The performance reflected that intent, with Patrice Neveu’s men controlling proceedings for much of the match.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half.
In the 25th minute, midfielder Shorla Aboghe found the back of the net with a composed finish, putting Gabon ahead and setting the tone for the rest of the encounter.
It was the only goal of the first half, but it rewarded the Panthers’ early dominance and gave them momentum heading into the break.
In the second half, Guinea-Bissau responded with more aggression, pushing forward in search of an equaliser.
The Djurtus enjoyed longer spells of possession and asked questions of Gabon’s defence, but struggled to find a way past a well-organised backline.
Despite their sustained pressure, Guinea-Bissau left themselves vulnerable to counterattacks — a risk that proved costly in the final moments of the match.
Deep into stoppage time, Gabon capitalised. A swift transition saw Bryan Meyo latch onto a long ball and race through on goal before calmly slotting home the second for Gabon in the 94th minute, sealing the result.
The win will come as a relief for Gabon, who had endured a turbulent run of recent form.
It also offered signs of improvement, especially in defence, after conceding five goals against Niger.
For Guinea-Bissau, the defeat marks another setback following their own recent loss and highlights ongoing issues in converting possession into clear-cut opportunities.
Gabon will now look to build on this result as they continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
With players like Aboghe and Meyo stepping up, there are growing reasons for optimism among the Panthers’ supporters.
The victory also offers a boost in morale and rhythm ahead of crucial qualification matches on the horizon.
