In the first of two warm-up friendly fixtures ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, Gabon square off against Uganda in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
While Uganda failed to make it to the continental tournament hosted by Senegal, Gabon have been drawn in Group C and will lock horns with Ghana, Morocco and Comoros in a somewhat tricky group.
Match preview
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After missing out on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Gabon appointed experienced manager Patrice Neveu with the task of returning the nation to the continental tournament.
With 10 points from six games, the French tactician successfully steered the Panthers to the 2021 AFCON, but only just, as they finished one point above third-placed Congo DR in Group D.
Gabon have been drawn in Group C of the tournament, alongside African heavyweights Ghana and Morocco, as well as Comoros, who are making their first appearance at the event.
However, before their opening game against the debutants at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on January 10, Gabon will make a stop in UAE for a warm-up friendly fixture against Uganda this Thursday.
They head into the game without a win against the Cranes in any of the last three meetings between the teams, with the most recent encounter coming back in 2016, when both sides settled for a 1-1 draw.
Meanwhile, Uganda failed to secure their third consecutive appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations after finishing third in Group D of the qualifiers.
Following a fine start to their qualification campaign, when they picked up two wins and one draw from their first three outings, Milutin Sredojevic's men simply fell off the rails, failing to find the back of the net and claiming just one point from their final three games.
That slump in form saw Uganda, who crashed out in the group stages of the 2017 edition and suffered a last-16 exit in 2019 courtesy of a 1-0 loss against Senegal, finish two points behind second-placed Malawi.
However, the Cranes head into Thursday's friendly tie in buoyant spirits having secured a 2-0 friendly victory over Tanzania when the sides met on December 9 thanks to second-half goals from Ivan Asaba and Joseph Vuni.
Uganda follow their game against the Panthers with another friendly fixture against AFCON-bound Mauritania, who finished second in Group E of the qualifiers with nine points from six games.
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Team News
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Neveu has named his provisional 30-man squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, with Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headlining the list.
Thirty-eight-year-old goalkeeper Didier Ovono, who leads the nation's all-time appearance chart, has been left out of the team, while Nice midfielder Mario Lemina makes the cut.
Meanwhile, Uganda have named a 23-man squad for their friendly games against Gabon and Mauritania, including goalkeeper Ismail Watenga.
Sredojevic has called up a fairly inexperienced side, with Kampala City defender Denis Iguma being a surprise omission, while promising 19-year-old Kenneth Semakula could make his senior debut.
UAE-based midfielder Akena Chris Pius, who plies his trade with Shabab Al Ahli Club, has earned his first call-up to the national team and is also in line to make his debut.
Gabon possible starting lineup:
Amonome; King, Oyono, Obissa, Obiang; Moussounda, Autchanga; Bouanga, Madinda, Allevinah; Boupendza
Uganda possible starting lineup:
Watenga; Semakula, Lwaliwa, Kayondo, Semakula; Byaruhanga, Kakooza; Orit, Mukwala, Akena; Sentamu
We say: Gabon 2-1 Uganda
Gabon head into the game with a significantly stronger and more experienced crop of players. We predict the Panthers will kick off their preparations on a winning note against a youthful Ugandan side.
Joshua Ojele
