Gabon suffer double injury blow as Jim Allevinah and Mario Lemina withdraw from AFCON qualifiers

Gabon have suffered a double injury blow ahead of the opening two matchdays of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with Jim Allevinah and Mario Lemina forced to withdraw from the squad.

The two players were originally named in Sebastien Migne’s 24-man squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Morocco and Niger but will now miss both fixtures due to injury.

Their withdrawals come as a setback for the Panthers, who are preparing to begin their qualification campaign against Morocco on September 25.

Allevinah and Lemina were expected to play important roles for Gabon during the international break, but their injury problems have ruled them out of the first two qualifying matches.

Following their withdrawal, coach Migne has moved quickly to reinforce his squad by calling up Randy Essang Matouti and Clech Loufilou as replacements.

The two players have been summoned to join the Gabonese squad as preparations continue for the qualifiers.

Gabon will face a difficult opening assignment away to Morocco on September 25 before returning home to take on Niger in Libreville on September 29.

Migne will therefore have to reorganise his team following the absence of Allevinah and Lemina as Gabon begin their campaign to qualify for the 2027 AFCON tournament.