GABONEWS

Panthers beaten in Mozambique

Carl FANGA — 2015-11-12T17:42:43Z

Mozambique pulled off a 1-0 win over Gabon in the round two knock out 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, thanks to a 54th minute strike from South Africa based forward Helder Pelembe.

Gabon, who was the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations hosts were forced to play the match without their injured Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre -Emerick Aubameyang.

Gabon,who are ranked 42 places above Mozambique in the FIFA standings, host the second leg of the qualifier this Saturday in Libreville.

Meanwhile, Striker Winston Kalengo scored a lone goal as Zambia kicked off their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 victory over Sudan away in Karima.

Kalengo benefited from a defensive error in the opponents backline to slot a low shot into an empty net after 29 minutes to aid Chipolopolo edge Sudan.

The return leg will be played this Sunday in Ndola with the overall winner advancing to the group stage of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Elsewhere, Suspended FIFA, boss Sepp Blatter is in the hospital after what doctors have called a small emotional breakdown.

The 77 year old who has led FIFA for 18 years, was provisionally suspended for 90 days last month amid a corruption scandal. It is understood he suffered what has been called a nervous shock but is expected to make a full recovery.

He will remain in hospital until Tuesday next week after being admitted initially for a check-up routine last week.

Khephren FANGA

Aubameyang injured, misses qualifier

Carl FANGA — 2015-11-12T17:30:51Z

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was unable to continue his prolific Borussia Dortmund form on the international stage with Gabon due to injury.

Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was absent from Gabon's World Cup qualifier against Mozambique on Wednesday due to a muscular injury.

A statement from the Gabonese Football Federation confirmed the 26-year-old would be sidelined and that further details over the nature of the injury would be disclosed in due course.

The statement read: "Suffering from elongation, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is out for tonight's game against Mozambique. More information [will be released] in the coming hours."

Aubameyang has been in scintillating form for Dortmund, with his decisive goal in Sunday's 3-2 derby victory over Schalke his 22nd in just 20 appearances this season.

Khephren FANGA

Gabon faces Mozambique in FIFA World Cup qualifier

Carl FANGA — 2015-11-11T12:38:02Z

Mozambique meet Gabon at the Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto this Wednesday afternoon in their FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Mozambique come into this tie having won 2 of their last 5 games. Most recently, they played twice against Zambia drawing 1:1 and losing 3:0.

Gabon come into this game after two matches against Chad in the African Cup of Nations – they won the first game 2:0 and lost the second 1:0.

Both sides have generally struggled in World Cup qualifiers – Mozambique have not won a qualifier since 2011 while Gabon have won 2 from their last 6 qualifiers since 2012.

Ultimately Gabon should be able to come out on top in this game – they have much better recent form and will be looking for a good result before they play again in 3 days time at the L'amitié Sino Gabonaise.

This game gets underway at 17:00 GMT.

High flying Aubameyang nets hat tick again vs Augsburg

Carl FANGA — 2015-10-26T12:32:57Z

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a hat-trick on Sunday as Borussia Dortmund ran riot in a 5-1 home win over bottom side Augsburg to stay second in the Bundesliga.

Dortmund trimmed the gap at the top to seven points behind run-away leaders Bayern Munich as Aubameyang took his tally to 13 goals in 10 league games to become the joint top-scorer alongside Bayern's Robert Lewandowski.

This was an emphatic victory for Dortmund, who tore the Augsburg defence to pieces as Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa set up three of the goals.

Aubameyang claimed the third hat-trick in his two years at Dortmund.

“I have no secret, but I bet with my brother yesterday that I would score three goals, no joke, I have already had a few messages about it,” revealed Aubameyang when asked what is the secret of his goal-scoring success.

“The hat-trick is for my little son. I try to enjoy myself on the field. Sometimes you have good times when you can try everything and it comes off.”

Aubameyang opened his account after 18 minutes by finishing off a superb move started by right-back Matthias Ginter on the flank, as a series of quick passes saw Ilkay Gundogan provide the striker with a simple tap in.

Marco Reus doubled the lead on 21 minutes when he fired home a superbly worked cross from Kagawa and the fleet-footed winger claimed his second with his Japanese teammate again providing the final pass.

It was 3-0 at the break, but Augsburg striker Raul Bobadilla pulled a goal back when he out-jumped Mats Hummels from a free-kick to head home on 49 minutes.

It proved to be no more than a consolation as Aubameyang grabbed his second on 85 minutes, then took advantage of another good Kagawa pass to delay his shot before beating goalkeeper Roman Burki on 91 minutes.

The National

Aubameyang hits 3 as Dortmund cruise past Qabala

Carl FANGA — 2015-10-23T09:51:21Z

Having already bagged 10 Bundesliga goals this season, the Gabon striker opened his Europa League account when he found the top corner after 31 minutes.

He doubled his tally with a poked finish after exchanging passes with Shinji Kagawa seven minutes later and then made the game safe with 18 minutes remaining when he pounced on a loose ball to slot home.

The Gabon forward's treble consolidated the Bundesliga side at the top of their group halfway through their six fixtures, with Krasnodar meeting PAOK later in the day.

Brazilian striker Dodo gave the hosts a consolation goal in the dying seconds of time added on.

Eurosport

Gabon hails successful return to top level continental basketball

Carl FANGA — 2015-10-23T09:23:21Z

Gabon have ended a decade-long absence from top FIBA Africa competitions with some encouraging results.

Both women and men's teams had last competed on Africa's biggest stage in 2005, but they closed out this summer with a sense of accomplishment.

And, last week, the Gabon Basketball Federation (FGBB) paid tribute to both teams' efforts in the capital Libreville.

At AfroBasket Women 2015 held in the neighbouring Cameroon's capital city of Yaounde, Gabon started off with two wins in a row and closed their campaign by beating Egypt to finish seventh in the 12-team competition.

Geraldine Robert, who has made a name for herself with an impressive professional career in Europe, came all the way from France to join Tania Angue and Grace Mbaikoua and help the Gabonese accomplish their best result in the tournament history.

They returned home with a 3-5 mark and are hopeful of remaining among Africa's elite.

As for the country's men's team, their participation at AfroBasket 2015 marked their return to the region's flagship event.

Although they finished with a 1-6 record, the fact that they beat Cape Verde in the Round of 16 to reach the Quarter-Finals, certainly turned their fortunes around.

Euroleague star Stephane Lasme joined a group a youngster including Therence Mayimba and Lerry Mve to help them finish eighth.

Yvon Patrick Medoua Nze, who took over as chairman of FGBB a couple of years ago, hailed both teams performances and pointed to this moment as the beginning of a new era in Gabon's basketball.

In the tribute ceremony, veteran Jason Reteno - one of the few members of the team that competed at AfroBasket 2005 - was awarded his coaching certificate.

"We achieved the best result in the history of Gabonese basketball," Medouza Nze told the local press.

"Without preparation, without great means, to get to this point it was a great accomplishment."

Khephren FANGA

Ecuélé Manga injured on international duty, faces 2 months on sidelines

Carl FANGA — 2015-10-16T13:33:37Z

Cardiff City defender Bruno Manga has suffered a further setback after being ruled out for up to nine weeks. The Bluebirds' Player of the Year for 2014-15 has yet to start a league game this term due to an injury problem.

Manga had been pushing for a start in the weeks leading up to the international break, being used for 45 minutes in the defeat to Hull City, but he is unlikely to feature again until the end of the year.

Having picked up the groin injury while away on duty with national side Gabon, City boss Russell Slade was quick to voice his disappointment. "Bruno has got an injury. It seems to be he could be out for eight or nine weeks," he is quoted as saying by Wales Online. "It's a groin strain. It's very difficult, we have had no control over it. We are trying to find out how he did it. It wasn't in a game, it was done in training. "It's most disappointing news and it's frustrating for him because he has had so many little injuries from the start of season. In Holland we thought it was severe - then he had a shoulder problem and now a severe groin strain. It was in training with Gabon.

"He played the first game, played on Friday and there was a game due on Monday and he did it between. I would like to know what happened. It was out of our control. It's difficult with Gabon to find out what training they are doing. We could help them if we could get information but we don't seem to get dialogue with them." Manga made a big impression in his maiden campaign with Cardiff last time out, featuring 29 times upon joining from Ligue 1 side Lorient.

Barcelona targeting Dortmund's Aubameyang

Carl FANGA — 2015-10-12T18:28:52Z

Barcelona have reportedly been impressed by the performances that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has put in for Borussia Dortmund of late.

Barcelona have reportedly been impressed by the performances that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has put in for Borussia Dortmund of late.

The 26-year-old, who joined Dortmund in 2013, has scored 10 goals in eight Bundesliga outings this term. That form has alerted Luis Enrique and his coaching staff at the Camp Nou, who have also been impressed by the attacker's versatility, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The report adds that Enrique is eager to bolster his options up front, having been left short of senior alternatives following the recent injury sustained by Lionel Messi. As it stands, Gabon international Aubamwyang is contracted to Dortmund until the summer of 2020.

Khephren FANGA

Abraham Olano becomes Gabon national cycling coach

Carl FANGA — 2015-10-08T14:33:08Z

Ten days from now, former double World Champion and 1998 Vuelta a España winner Abraham Olano will be starting work as the new national trainer for Gabon, to, as he puts it, “build the squad from scratch.”

“I will be working there as national trainer and also to help in the Foundation's work, getting bikes and other material to help the sport at grassroots level,” Olano tells Cyclingnews.

“I've been working here in Tolosa (in the Basque Country) with their local cycling school, the same one where I started to learn to ride a bike myself, and I knew that the Contador Foundation, too, is working in the same kinds of areas. So that experience is going to help me in Gabon.”

Olano's work will essentially be to manage the country's top amateur riders and assisting in setting up infrastructures to improve racing and training conditions across the board. The big target will be for the riders to perform well in the Tropicale Amissa Bongo, one of the continent's top stage races, which takes place in Gabon at the end of January each year. Last year's winner of the decade-old event was Skydive Dubai rider Rafael Chtioui of Tunisia.

Olano admits that he has very little knowledge of Gabon, in West Africa, with a population of around 1.5 million - but “the President [of the Cycling Federation] has told me that's not a bad thing because we're starting from scratch, building the team from the base upwards. So I've no idea. But that's kind of the point.

“I've seen the races they organise there, the Tropicale Amissa Bongo. They have national riders involved, but I've been told they're on the start list and that's pretty much as good as it gets. They don't get to the Worlds or anything like that.

“We'll do what we can for next January, but I'm really hoping for improvement there for further down the line.

“So what they want to do is bring on their riders at all levels, but my first job is to work with the ones who take part in that race. We want these riders do well in the Tropicale Amissa Bongo, so they can act as an inspiration to other people to get out and ride bikes and race. It's about motivating them, and getting some sponsors in, too, hopefully to try and bring them over to races in Europe and across Africa.”

Alasdair Fotheringham

Congo officially launches the 11th edition of the Afican Games

Arsene Rebouka — 2015-09-07T21:30:20Z

President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou N'guesso officially launched the 11th edition of the African Games last Friday through a speech addressed to the audience came massively.

The official ceremony recorded the participation of numerous distinguished guests such as President Ali Bongo of Gabon, President Faure Gnassimbe of Togo, President Thomas Yayi Boni of Beni, President Manuel Pinto Da Costa of Sao Tome and Principe and President Catherine Samba Panza of the Central African Republic.

President Sassou N'guesso placed this 11th edition under the theme “Youth and development. There was also the arrival of guests as the chairman of the African Union (AU) and many African stars arrived for this event, the former player of France football team, Marcelle Desaily, Congolese musician Passi, former goalkeeper of Cameroon's team Joseph Antoine Bell, the former chairman of Olympique de Marseille Pape Diouf.

The 11th edition of the African Games will happen in the city of Kintele in the Republic of Congo. There will have many disciplines among which Basketball, Athleticism, Boxing, Football, Judo, Handball, Cycling, Volley ball, Karate etc.

Biapo Christopher