Giresse and Migné revive Gabon after catastrophic Africa Cup of Nations

Alain Giresse and Sébastien Migné have officially taken up their positions in Libreville, where the two French coaches are preparing Gabon’s opening matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The French Embassy in Gabon confirmed their presence in the Gabonese capital this week.

Migné, appointed head coach of the Panthers, arrives with recent experience: he led Haiti to the 2026 World Cup, where the Caribbean side suffered three defeats against Scotland, Brazil and Morocco. He will unveil his first squad list on Thursday for two crucial matches: September 25 in Rabat against Morocco, then September 29 at home against Niger.

Giresse, meanwhile, returns to a position of responsibility three years after leading Kosovo in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. At 74, he takes on the role of technical director and forms with Migné a partnership tasked with rebuilding a squad deeply weakened.

The task is immense. Gabon has just endured a disastrous 2024 Africa Cup of Nations: three defeats, against Cameroon (0-1), Mozambique (2-3) and Côte d’Ivoire (2-3), with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arriving in Morocco injured. The results were so poor that the Gabonese government announced a temporary suspension of the national team.

Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga are no longer part of the project. Mario Lemina, 33, is also currently absent due to injury, and international retirement looms. The Giresse-Migné duo must therefore build a renewed squad urgently, with two formidable opponents in sight this September. A defeat to Morocco would be predictable; another slip-up against Niger or Lesotho would immediately jeopardize qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.