Gabon’s young defender Jonathan Do Marcolino has expressed immense pride and determination after receiving his first-ever call-up to the Panthers’ national team, ahead of next week’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Nigeria in Rabat, Morocco.

The Lens-born defender, who previously represented France at U17 level, said his inclusion by head coach Thierry Mouyouma marked the fulfilment of a lifelong dream to wear the Gabonese colours.

“I’m not surprised because I’m a competitor and I’ve always wanted to represent my country,” Do Marcolino told L’Union. “It’s something I’ve dreamt of since I was very young. To be here now, preparing to play for Gabon in the World Cup qualifiers, is an exceptional moment that will forever be etched in my memory.”

The 20-year-old, who plays his club football in France, said he feels no emotional conflict about choosing Gabon over France despite his European roots.

“I have no emotional conflict,” he said firmly. “I was born in Lens, but both my father and mother are Gabonese. I am first and foremost Gabonese by blood.”

Known for his physical presence and defensive composure, Do Marcolino described himself as a player who thrives in one-on-one duels and brings discipline to the back line.

“My main strength lies in duels. I am a rigorous defender — to put it simply,” he explained.

As Gabon prepares to face Nigeria in what promises to be a fiercely contested play-off, the young defender is determined to justify his selection and win the hearts of fans back home.

“I will repay the technical staff and the Gabonese public for the trust they have placed in me,” he concluded confidently.

Do Marcolino’s debut could add youthful energy to Gabon’s defence as the Panthers aim to secure a historic World Cup appearance — but standing in their path is a battle-hardened Super Eagles side equally desperate to return to football’s grandest stage.

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When Coach Thierry Mouyouma unveiled his 26-man list for Gabon’s 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off clash against Nigeria in Rabat, it was more than just another squad announcement — it was a statement of intent.

The coach’s selection reflects a careful balance between continuity and regeneration, as the Panthers aim to stay competitive while preparing for a generational shift.

Continuity at the Core

Since taking over in October 2023, Mouyouma has emphasized stability, and his latest list shows a preference for familiar faces who understand his system.

The inclusion of long-serving leaders like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mario Lemina, Didier Ndong, Guelor Kanga, and Bruno Ecuele Manga ensures that Gabon retain their experienced spine.

These veterans remain central to the team’s tactical identity — their leadership and big-game experience are vital for a high-stakes fixture against a seasoned Nigerian side.

 For Mouyouma, keeping this nucleus intact is both a practical and psychological decision: it preserves dressing-room authority while maintaining on-field cohesion.

A Controlled Youth Movement

But this is not the same old Gabon. Behind the established names, Mouyouma is clearly fast-tracking the next generation.

The inclusion of nine players aged 23 and under — among them Jonathan Do Marcolino, Bryan Meyo, Randy Essang Matouti, Teddy Andami Averlant, and Noha Lemina — signals a strategic renewal.

The most symbolic of these is Jonathan Do Marcolino, earning his first call-up after impressing on loan at Bourg-en-Bresse from Stade Rennais. The young defender embodies Mouyouma’s policy of tapping into the Gabonese diaspora to strengthen the squad’s depth and future competitiveness.

By also recalling Alex Moucketou and Royce Openda, Mouyouma has managed to blend the energy of youth with the maturity of players reclaiming their places after injury. This combination could give the Panthers greater flexibility, especially against physically dominant opponents like Nigeria.

Injury Absences and Domestic Setbacks

Still, the list is not without its constraints. The coach is missing several key men through long-term injuries, including Michel Mboula, Jim Allevinah, Shavy Babicka, Medwin Biteghe, and Junior Noubi Fotso. Their absence robs the team of both attacking depth and tactical variety.

Moreover, the continued suspension of Gabon’s top-flight league, National-Foot 1, remains a worrying handicap. The omission of Oumar Bagnama — a casualty of the league’s inactivity — is a reminder of the structural weaknesses hampering local player development. Mouyouma’s frustration is understandable: without a functioning domestic base, Gabon risks over-relying on Europe-based talent.

Building a Team for Two Tournaments

What makes this squad even more significant is Mouyouma’s long-term perspective. He has hinted that, with only minor adjustments for fitness, this could be the same group that represents Gabon at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

That dual-purpose approach ensures consistency in selection, allowing the players to grow together through consecutive competitive cycles.

It’s a pragmatic strategy: by using the Nigeria play-off as both a qualification test and a preparation ground, Mouyouma is giving his side the continuity needed to build chemistry and tactical discipline.

The Verdict

Mouyouma’s squad is neither a radical overhaul nor a nostalgic throwback. It is, rather, a transitional blueprint — one that seeks to honour the service of Gabon’s golden generation while laying the foundation for what comes next.

If Aubameyang and Lemina still represent the Panthers’ present, then the likes of Do Marcolino, Meyo, and Noha Lemina are unmistakably their future. Against Nigeria, this mix of experience and emerging ambition will be tested not just for qualification, but for proof that Gabon’s football evolution is finally taking shape.

In short, Mouyouma’s 26-man list is both a battle plan and a blueprint — designed to compete now, but also to endure beyond the next tournament cycle.

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Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, prolific striker Victor Osimhen, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali headline Nigeria’s 24-man squad named by head coach Eric Chelle for next week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament in Rabat, Morocco.

Also listed are dependable defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, alongside midfield stalwarts Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Frank Onyeka, as well as attacking wingers Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman.

Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, while Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo square off in the other semi-final at the El-Barid Stadium, which seats 18,000 fans.

Chelle, who is leading Nigeria to his first major tournament since his appointment, has also recalled Maduka Okoye, the Italy-based goalkeeper, and Chidera Ejuke, who plies his trade with Sevilla in Spain. Midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olusegun Olakunle also make the roster.

However, defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi will miss the semi-final tie against Gabon due to a one-match suspension after accumulating two yellow cards during the qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles are expected to arrive in Morocco from their various clubs across Europe and elsewhere on Monday, November 10, to commence preparations for the high-stakes encounter.

Nigeria’s 24-Man Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament

Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)

Defenders:
William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)

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