LIBREVILLE, October 11, 2024 (AGP) – The Gabon national team conceded a draw this Friday against Lesotho (0-0), thus opening the door wide to a period of uncertainty and doubts about the capacity of the team to raise its head in four days in South Africa during the return leg against the same opponent.
The scenario is almost catastrophic. The result calls for questioning, in order to remove doubts. It is also a reminder of the urgency of oxygenating this group, clearly lacking in talent and creative genius, thanks in particular to the start of National Football next November.
And finally, it is difficult in these conditions not to worry about what the management of the very heavy file relating to the post-Pierre Emerick Aubameyang could look like. Especially since the content of the match delivered by the Panthers of Gabon, this Friday at the Franceville stadium, which had nevertheless been full for the occasion, was unfortunately not rewarded for this mark of attention, suddenly converted into frustration by a team from Gabon, which only played for one period.
Forty-five minutes sometimes embellished with very beautiful technical gestures, an impression of domination translated by possession of the leather (71%), albeit relative, but also littered with clumsiness and the feeling of never being able to achieve it.
The second period only confirmed the situation. And exposed the volatility and the inability of the squad of national coach Thierry Mouyouma, made up largely of club replacement players, to offer play. Not stereotypical as was the case, but nourished by good combinations , actions and finishes at stake.
The Panthers, in addition to having hardly endangered their opponents, were limited physically. And Thierry Mouyouma guilty of never having dared enough in his coaching, by keeping Denis Bouanga on the pitch for example, who nevertheless missed almost everything. Even the way he runs!
We also clearly saw that the Gabonese technician’s tactical readjustments did not make it possible to bypass the perfectly adjusted visitors’ block.
All things considered, the Panthers at least took a point. And that’s all we’ll remember, while waiting for the return match in four days against this eye-catching and vicious Lesotho team.
FE/FSS/EN