2019 AFCON Qualifiers: Gabon counting on Auba's Arsenal form to jumpstart campaign

Gabon's forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang listens to Gabon's national anthem ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group A football match between Gabon and Burkina Faso at the Stade de l'Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville on January 18, 2017. / AFP / GABRIEL BOUYS

(Jan. 17, 2017 - Source: AFP)

Things will get heated in the men’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers over the next couple of days. We are spoiled with two legged fixtures (matchday 3 and 4) for all the participants with the first leg coming to our screens as early as Wednesday, 10th of October and the final matches of the second legs finishing one week later. This means that a crucial six points is up for grabs for all teams and also at risk of slipping away. The six points are perhaps most important to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabon who lie off the qualification places, behind Mali and Burundi in group C.

Last time out, Gabon misfired as they drew 1-1 with Burundi at home. This was after they had lost their opening match to a solid Malian team who currently tops the group. The clash over two legs in a space of four days with lowly ranked South Sudan is a must win for the Panthers of Gabon if they are to appear in next year’s AFCON finals running from the 15th of June to 13th July, with Cameroon being the designated host. They are fears the host nation could be changed amid unrest and infrastructure unpreparedness in the central African nation.

The tie wouldn’t have come at a better time for Gabonese captain and all time record goal scorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Arsenal forward is currently in sizzling form for the Gunners, with the weekend’s premier league performance against Fulham still fresh in many people’s memories. Auba came on for Unai Emery’s men and scored a brace whilst also assisting Aaron Ramsey for a wonder goal, all in space of twenty minutes. The new Gabonese coach, Daniel Cousin has also called on notable experienced players in Southampton’s Mario Lemina and Cardiff City defender, Bruno Ecuele Manga to sail his side to all six points. As we have seen in times past, there is never an easy match in the AFCON tournament, favorites Gabon will have to be on their A game for the contest taking place firstly on Friday in Libreville and finishing off the following Tuesday in South Sudan.

Here is Gabon’s full squad for the tie:

Gabon's forward Malick Evouna (R) challenges Burkina Faso's midfielder Charles Kabore during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group A football match between Gabon and Burkina Faso at the Stade de l'Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville on January 18, 2017. / AFP / GABRIEL BOUYS

(Jan. 17, 2017 - Source: AFP)

Goalkeepers: Didier Ovono (Paris FC, France), Yves Bitséki Moto (Mounana)

Defenders: Bruno Ecuele Manga (Cardiff City, England), Aaron Appindangoyé (Umraniyespor, Turkey), Henri Ndong (FC Shirak, Armenia), Franck Obambou (Al Ittihad, Libya), Wilfried Ebane Abessolo (Lorient, France), Ulysse Ndong(Al-Khor, Qatar), Johann Obiang (Troyes, France), Lloyd Palun (Cercle Brugge, Belgium)

Midfielders: Mario Lemina (Southampton, England), Franck Engonah (Al Gaish, Egypt), Samson Mbingui (Tours, France), Andre Biyogo Poko (Göztepe, Turkey), Serge-Junior Martinsson Ngouali(Hammarby, Sweden), Clech Loufilou (Mangasport), Lévy Madinda (Umraniyespor, Turkey)

Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal, England), Axel Méyé (Qadsia, Kuwait), Denis Bouanga (Nimes, France), Louis Autchanga (Chamois Niortais, France), Gaëtan Missi Mezu (Dunarea Calarasi, Romania), Alain Miyogho (Mangasport)

UEFA Europa League Matchday 2: Our African Fantasy Five

The second best European club competition commenced last Thursday and we witnessed some stellar performances by individuals who have been in and out of their teams since the beginning of the 2018/19 season. These soccer players will be looking to continue their form into Matchday 2. But before we pop some popcorn and get ready for the second round, let's look at the five African players that stood out in the competition last week. Here's FirstTouch’s UEFA Europa League Fantasy 5. We have one goalkeeper, one defender, two midfielders and a striker up top in a diamond formation.

Goalkeeper

It is quite unfortunate that no African goalkeeper was in action on Matchday 1. Therefore, this position will be reserved for a goalkeeper that pushes into the Starting XI of their respective clubs and prove their worth on Matchday 2.

Joseph Aidoo of Ghana shows his frustration after a Mali goal during the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 Round of 16 match between Ghana and Mali at Wellington Regional Stadium on June 10, 2015 in Wellington, New Zealand.

(June 9, 2015 - Source: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Joseph Aidoo (Centre Back) - Sarpsborg vs Genk

The Ghanaian international plays for Genk in the Belgian division. He was a starter in the UEFA Europa League match between Genk and Malmo FF. He helped his team keep a clean sheet against the Swedish giants. Who would not want to have a defender that won 4 arial duels, cleared the ball 6 times out of danger, and made 3 crucial interceptions. The 23-year old was a class above the rest on Matchday 1.

Iwobi (Left Midfield) - Qarabag FK vs Arsenal

Mesut Ozil of Arsenal (r) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Alex Iwobi during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 28, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe

Of course, the Naija boy deserves plaudits for his man of the match performance for Arsenal against Vorskla Poltava. He provided an assist for Aubameyang to score his second goal of the season on the 32nd minute. Iwobi created chances that went bagging as his teammates failed to finish off their opponents. The young midfielder was a constant menace on the left flank and would probably have been at the very top of the Power Rankings if the Europa League had a fantasy team of the week.

Metz's Senegalese midfielder Ismaila Sarr (L) vies with Rennes' French defender Ludovic Baal during the French L1 football match Rennes against Metz on October 30, 2016 at the Roazhon park stadium in Rennes, western France. / AFP / DAMIEN MEYER

(Oct. 29, 2016 - Source: AFP)

Ismaila Sarr (Right Midfield) - Astana vs Rennes

Fantasy football is based on efficiency and results as opposed to personal affection towards individual soccer players. This warrants a place for Sarr in the team on the right. The Senegalese international scored a stunner for Stade Rennais which is goal of the season contender. He produced the goods and would definitely be in our fantasy team heading into matchday 2.

Aubameyang (Centre Forward) - Qarabag FK vs Arsenal

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's third goal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Vorskla Poltava at Emirates Stadium on September 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 19, 2018 - Source: Henry Browne/Getty Images Europe)

Another Arsenal player to make it to the team. Well deserved if you ask me. The Gabonese international was hungry for goals against Ukrainian side, Vorskla Poltava. He scored a brace on the night and almost scored made it three had it not been for a shot that hit the upright. We would be confident having a world class striker like Pierre Emerick Aubameyang leading the line in my UEFA Europa League team.

(Super Sub) Mbwana Samatta - Sarpsborg vs Genk

Some special mention should be reserved for the Tanzanian striker Mbwana Samatta who plays for Genk. The forward scored one of the goals that sealed a 2-0 victory against Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s old club. Had it not been for the Aubameyang, Samatta would be leading the line in my UEFA Europa League Fantasy 5 side. Oh maybe we could play two strikers with no goalkeeper, if that were possible.

Which Africans would make it into your Matchday 2 Europa League Fantasy Five?