The Gabonese U23 national team is currently in a training camp in Benslimane, Morocco, preparing for the final round of qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations. Initially consisting of 12 local players, the squad has been reinforced with the arrival of three expatriate players. These players were released by their respective clubs a week before the upcoming FIFA window. The team is focused on achieving a good result in the qualifiers.
The three expatriate players who have joined the team are Derrick Assoumou Obame, a midfielder from Zesco United in Zambia, Caleb Nzamba from Ethio Electric in Ethiopia, and Bryan Meyo from Torrense in Portugal. Derrick Assoumou Obame expressed his honor in being called up to defend Gabon's colors and stated that the team will give their best to qualify for the third round of the qualifiers and ultimately make it to the final phase in Egypt.
Caleb Nzamba and Bryan Meyo also shared their enthusiasm for joining the team and participating in the challenge. Caleb Nzamba mentioned that he was eager to join the group and that they will give their all, comparing their situation to being soldiers in a war. Bryan Meyo expressed his confidence and willingness to contribute to the team's qualification, emphasizing that they are all united in their goal.
The rest of the diaspora players are expected to join the team this weekend, after their respective championship matches. However, the team's preparation has been affected by the cancellation of a friendly match initially scheduled against FUS de Rabat. This has limited the team's opportunities for a thorough review of their squad in preparation for the double eliminatory confrontation against Tunisia on November 12 and 17.
The Gabonese team's coach, Saturnin Ibela Ignambi, is expected to make the most of the remaining time to prepare the team for the crucial matches against Tunisia. The team's performance in these qualifiers will determine their eligibility for the African Cup of Nations. The coach will likely focus on fine-tuning the team's strategy and building a cohesive unit.
The addition of the three expatriate players is expected to boost the team's chances of qualifying for the African Cup of Nations. The team's training camp in Morocco provides an opportunity for the players to acclimate to the conditions they will face in the tournament. The team's progress in the qualifiers will be closely watched by football fans in Gabon.
The final round of qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations U23 will be a significant test for the Gabonese team. With the reinforcements from the expatriate players, the team is expected to put up a strong performance. The team's determination and unity, as expressed by the players, will be crucial in achieving a positive result in the qualifiers.
Key points
- The Gabonese U23 team has been reinforced with three expatriate players ahead of the final CAN qualifiers round.
- The team is currently in a training camp in Benslimane, Morocco, preparing for the crucial matches against Tunisia.
- The team's performance in the qualifiers will determine their eligibility for the African Cup of Nations U23.
