Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will once again be the face of Gabon at the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations after head coach Thierry Mouyouma named his final 28-man squad for the finals in Morocco.
Gabon, who missed the 2023 edition, return to the continental stage in a difficult Group F alongside Cameroon, Mozambique and defending champions Ivory Coast. Their campaign kicks off on 24 December in Agadir.
Aubameyang, now 36, has enjoyed a productive season at Olympique Marseille with eight goals and nine assists form that makes his inclusion inevitable and injects renewed confidence among Gabonese supporters.
The former Arsenal captain headlines a core group of experienced internationals retained for AFCON duty, including LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, long-serving defender Bruno Ecuele Manga, midfielder Mario Lemina and full-back Jacques Ekomié.
Mouyouma, however, has not shied away from bold decisions in reshaping the squad.
One of the biggest surprises is the recall of Malick Evouna, who last played for the national team in 2019. The 32-year-old forward has impressed domestically with Mangasport, forcing his way back into contention as a potential impact player.
The coach has also doubled down on youth, keeping faith with 23-year-old Bordeaux winger Royce Openda, who made his debut only last month.
His continued rise comes at the expense of other young forwards, including Yannis Mbemba, whose omission has stirred debate among fans after a string of standout performances.
Injured duo Jim Allevinah and Shavy Babicka return at the right time to bolster Gabon’s attacking strength, while defensively the squad leans heavily on experience.
Ecuele Manga anchors a back line that will face some of the continent’s strongest attackers in the group phase.
For Gabon, whose last deep AFCON run came in 2012, the stakes are high. Mouyouma insists his final selection reflects a clear ambition: combining seasoned leadership, long-awaited comebacks and the energy of emerging talents.
With Aubameyang wearing the armband, the Panthers believe they can upset the balance of a tough group and push for a landmark knockout-stage appearance.
Gabon’s Final 28-Man Squad for AFCON 2025
