Both teams started their campaigns with wins on the opening day, Gabon beat DR Congo 1-0, while Mauritania thrashed Sudan 3-0.
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Gabon will host Mauritania in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Stade de Franceville on Wednesday. Both teams started their campaigns with wins on the opening day. Gabon edged past DR Congo 1-0, while Mauritania thrashed Sudan 3-0 earlier this month. The Panther returned to the AFCON championships earlier this year, while Mauritania have qualified for the last two editions of the tournament, their only two participations in history. Meanwhile Gabon are winless against the Lions of Chinguetti, losing the first encounter 2-0 before sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
1️⃣9️⃣ goals in 8️⃣ games!
An entertaining #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 night! ? pic.twitter.com/T1VkOxsIv6
— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 5, 2022
The win at home to Congo DR on the other day was an extremely strong start to Gabon’s AFCON qualifying campaign. The Panthers will be aiming to secure their second consecutive win for the first time since November 2021, when they welcome in-form Mauritania. In their last outing, forward Shavy Warren scored the lone goal of the match in the 23rd minute to secure all three points for Patrice Neveu’s side. Prior to that, the Panthers were beaten on penalties by Burkina Faso when the two sides played each other in the round of 16 of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations back in January. Gabon are unbeaten in each of their last five home games, recording four wins and one draw.
Mauritania, on the other hand, thrashed Sudan courtesy of a double from former Fulham player Aboubakar Kamara and a second half strike by Abdallahi Mahmoud. It was Al-Murabitun’s third consecutive victory across all competitions. Amir Abdou’s side are now unbeaten in all but one of their last seven AFCON qualifying games, registering three wins and three draws. Meanwhile Mauritani have struggled away from home, picking up just one win from their last eight games since March.
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Gabon head coach Patrice Neveu is unlikely to make any drastic changes to the lineup for the clash on Wednesday. Jean Noel Amonome will be deployed between the posts, with Appindangoye and Mouketou-Moussounda in front of him. Medwin Biteghe, Andre Pako and Guelor Kanga are expected to form the midfield trio.
As for Mauritania, head coach Amir Abdou has no reason to change the side that got the job done against Sudan. Kamara, who has four goals in nine appearances for the Lions of Chinguetti, is expected to lead the attack. Alaves midfielder Mahmoud will push for a place in the starting XI after his brilliant cameo against Sudan in the previous game
Gabon probable starting lineup: Amonome, Oyono, Moucketou-Moussounda, Appindangoye, Sambissa, Biteght, Poko, Babicka, Kanga, Ameka, Meye.
Mauritania probable starting Lineup: Diop, Keita, Yali, L Ba, Abeid, H Ba, Thiam, Mouhsine, Kamara, Tanjy, Soueid
The 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers match between Gabon and Mauritania will take place at the Stade de Franceville and it will kickoff at 9:30 pm IST on June 8, Wednesday.
A selection of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will be telecast live on beIN SPORTS.
