By DEWAH Fabrice TEH
Sports writer, Kick442.com-Cameroon
Gabon Team Captain, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang says his side is looking forward to putting up a descent and memorable performance against Ghana in the team’s second Group C game in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon.
Despite declaring consciousness of the challenges awaiting the Central African side against the Black Stars, the England based Arsenal forward said he is confident the Panthers will give their all and excel on Friday January 14.
“We will be playing against a very tough opponent that really wants to win. So we will have to be very serious during the game like we were in our first game of the tournament and I know we will have our chances.” Pierre Emerick told the Communication Unit of the Gabonese Football Federation, FEAGOOT early this week shortly after being cleared to feature in the much awaited Ghana-Gabon crunch clash.
“I am happy to have joint the rest of the squad and am also happy with the result the team recorded in our first game. It’s now the time for me to contribute my own quarter to the team.”
Questioned if the 2012 AFCON quarterfinalists harbor superiority complex in the competition after its opening game win over the Comoros Islands, the ex-Borrussia Dortmund goal poacher declared the team remains focused and maintains its plans of excelling in the current campaign in Cameroon.
“I will not say so though of course it’s always nice to start a competition on winning ways. But at the end, we cannot say we have won the AFCON.”
Aubameyang noted
Panthers to miss Head Coach, key defender in Ghana game
Gabon will be facing Ghana at the Yaounde Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on Friday without several of the team’s key players.
Prominent among them will be ace defender Ecuele Manga who ended the Panthers’ final training session on Thursday abruptly after an injury picked after colliding with teammate Axel Meye during training at the Yaounde Military Stadium on Thursday night.
The 33-year-old Dijon defender was transported to hospital for treatment shortly after the incidence.
Manga is the most capped Gabonese player in the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, having featured for the Panthers in over 90 games, scoring 9 goals.
Defender Gil Chris Nguema and Obissa have both been ruled out due to Covid-19 complications.
Meanwhile, the Panthers’ Head Coach, French man Patrice Neveu will also miss Friday’s game after being tested positive of Covid-19.
Deputy Head Coach Anicet Yala will lead the Gabonese team when they face Ghana on Friday January 14, 2022 in match round 2 in Group C of the ongoing African soccer jamboree.
Gabon temporarily tops Group C with three points followed by Morocco which defeated Ghana in the group’s opening fixture last Monday. Ghana and debutants, the Comoros Islands are ranked third and fourth respectively.
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