Gambia vs Gabon

By: Kemo Kanyi

Gabon resume their push for a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup when they face Gambia at the Moi International Sports Centre on Friday in the penultimate round of qualifiers.

While the Scorpions – the nominal hosts – are already out of contention, Les Pantheres remain locked in a tight two-horse race with Ivory Coast for Group F’s top spot.

Gabon have been exceptional in their World Cup qualification campaign, but their 19 points from eight games (W6, D1, L1) still leave them second in the standings.

Les Pantheres’s only blemishes came in both legs against Ivory Coast — a defeat on matchday three followed by a goalless draw last time out — as Thierry Mouyouma’s men failed to make home advantage count, allowing the Elephants to retain their slender one-point lead at the top.

Knowing it is almost impossible to see Cote d’Ivoire slip up against Group F’s whipping boys Seychelles, Gabon must find a way to keep pace by taking maximum points from a side they have failed to find the net against in their last two meetings.

The Panthers lost on penalties to Gambia in the African Nations Championship qualifiers after goalless draws over both legs, but Mouyouma’s men can still draw belief from their thrilling 3-2 win over the same opponents in the reverse fixture of this qualifying series.

Another lively contest could be on the cards, with both sides potent going forward — Gabon have netted 16 goals to Gambia’s 17 — though the ‘visitors’ boast a stronger defensive record, conceding just six compared to the nominal hosts’ 14, and will hope that counts for something on Friday.

Gambia, with nothing but pride to play for, will aim to continue their impressive momentum, having won both fixtures in the September double-header, beating Kenya 3-1 before a 2-0 victory over Burundi.

The Scorpions are currently third with 10 points from three wins, one draw and four defeats, and despite being out of contention for a World Cup berth, Johnny McKinstry will be pleased with how his side have navigated the latter half of 2025.

Gambia are unbeaten in their last four matches, with September’s wins following a victory and a draw against Equatorial Guinea and Uganda, respectively, in friendly encounters in June.

Avoiding defeat on Friday would see the Scorpions go five games without a loss for the first time since their run between October 2019 and October 2020

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 By: Kemo Kanyi Gabon resume their push for a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup when they face Gambia at the Moi International Sports…
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