The Gabonese national football team is gearing up to face Nigeria in a crucial World Cup playoff match, with coach Thierry Mouyouma acknowledging his team’s underdog status. Despite this, Mouyouma has expressed confidence that the Panthers will not be intimidated by their opponents, three-time African champions Nigeria.
In an interview with Afrik Foot, Mouyouma highlighted Nigeria’s attacking prowess, noting that the team is a favorite to win. “We are aware that Nigeria is a great African team and the favorite, and our underdog status suits us just fine,” he said. “Nigeria will be under more pressure, which is understandable, but while we respect them, we’re not afraid of them.” Mouyouma also acknowledged the quality of Nigeria’s squad, citing the threats posed by players such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
Gabon’s chances of reaching the next round of the World Cup playoffs are still alive, along with those of Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the team’s record against Nigeria is not encouraging, with their last victory dating back to a 2-1 win in a World Cup qualifier in June 1989.
Mouyouma’s comments suggest that Gabon is prepared to give Nigeria a run for their money, despite the historical disparity between the two teams. The match is expected to be closely watched, with fans and analysts eager to see if Gabon can pull off an upset. With the stakes high, the pressure is on both teams to perform, and the outcome is far from certain. As the teams prepare to face off, one thing is clear: only time will tell if Gabon can overcome their underdog status and secure a spot in the next round of the World Cup playoffs.
