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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Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma has taken a bold step toward rejuvenating the national team, calling up nine players aged 23 and under for the Panthers’ crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Nigeria in Rabat, Morocco.

The youthful inclusion underlines Mouyouma’s long-term vision of building a new generation capable of taking over from the country’s golden veterans, many of whom are approaching the twilight of their international careers.

Since taking charge in October 2023, Mouyouma has made it clear that one of his primary missions is to blend experience with youth — and his latest selection shows that process is accelerating.

Among the newcomers are Jonathan Do Marcolino and Loyce Openda, two promising talents representing the Gabonese diaspora. They join a growing list of young prospects such as Lukas Mounguenou, Bryan Meyo, and Teddy Andami Averlant, all unearthed through Mouyouma’s extensive scouting work in Europe.

The recruitment drive, carried out in partnership with Dieudonné Londo, the Panthers’ general manager, and Fabrice Do Marcolino, the European referent, has begun to reshape the team’s dynamics — infusing fresh energy and intensifying competition for starting spots.

“The integration of these young players is part of a long-term plan,” a Gabon FA insider explained. “Coach Mouyouma wants to ensure continuity and competitiveness as the older players gradually transition out.”

That transition, however, will not be immediate. Gabon still relies heavily on experienced stars like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mario Lemina, Didier Ndong, Guelor Kanga, and Denis Bouanga, many of whom could call time on their international careers after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The internal competition is already producing results. Jacques Ekomie, for example, has displaced long-time left-back Johan Obiang, while Michel Mboula, Mick Kila Onfia, and Roddy Effaghe have impressed during recent AFCON and World Cup qualifying campaigns.

For Mouyouma, this is not just about rebuilding — it’s about renewal with purpose. As Gabon prepares to face Nigeria in the high-stakes play-off, the Panthers’ evolving mix of youth and experience could mark the dawn of a new chapter in Gabonese football.

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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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