The Central African Republic will close out their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a meeting against Gabon at the Orlando Stadium on Monday.
While CAR head into their final qualifier with nothing on the line, Gabon will need to be at their best as they currently need one more point to guarantee themselves second place in Group B.
Match preview
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When CAR kicked off their AFCON qualifying journey with a 3-1 triumph over Lesotho on September 5, there was a high level of optimism brewing that they just might be on course to feature on the continental scene for the first time in history.
However, Eloge Enza Yamissi's men have since lost each of their subsequent four outings by a combined score of 12-0 to leave them still awaiting a maiden appearance at Africa's biggest football showpiece.
Les Fauves were beaten 2-0 by Gabon in their second qualifier on September 10 before suffering consecutive defeats against Morocco during the October international break, where the damage was really done.
Still in with a faint shot at making it through from Group B, the Central African Republic headed to the Toyota Stadium on Thursday to face off against Lesotho, knowing that anything but a win would spell the end of their AFCON ambitions.
Despite being in the ascendancy for the majority of the first half, CAR headed into the interval with nothing to show for their dominance after which they were undone five minutes into the second period by Neo Mokhachane, whose winner was the final nail in the coffin for Monday's hosts.
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Gabon have recovered from a slow start to their qualifying quest to sit second in Group B after five rounds of games, although a 5-1 defeat to Morocco at Stade de Franceville last time out means they will head into their final qualifier still looking over their shoulders.
Thierry Mouyouma's men looked set to confirm qualification for the upcoming AFCON when they took the lead through Denis Bouanga's fourth-minute strike, after which Jamal Harkass, Youssef En-Nesyri and Ismael Saibari got themselves on the scoresheet either side of Brahim Diaz's double.
That was a second defeat in five qualifying matches, with both coming against Morocco, but sandwiched in between those losses were two wins and a draw which have left Les Pantheres on the brink of a place in Morocco.
Following Lesotho's hard-fought 1-0 victory over CAR in their most recent outing, Gabon have seen their gap from third place cut to three points and remain catchable ahead of the trip to Johannesburg.
Monday's visitors have not missed out on consecutive AFCON tournaments since 2008 and will be confident of securing a berth for the upcoming continental event after their no-show in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
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Team News
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Geoffrey Lembet made his 40th international appearance for CAR last time out and is now just eight caps shy of Foxi Kethevoama's all-time record of 48.
Having failed to score against Lesotho, Louis Mafouta saw his goal drought for club and country extend to five games, but the forward is expected to lead the line for the hosts.
Denis Bouanga continued his hot streak in front of goal with yet another strike last time out, and the Gabonese hitman will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw his three-game scoring run for the away side come to an end against Morocco, but the 35-year-old will back himself to return to the scoresheet having netted in the most recent meeting between Monday's opponents.
Central African Republic possible starting lineup:
Lembet; Ndobe, Youga, Mboumbouni; Namgbema, Solet, Kondogbia, Bertillo, Ato-Zandanga; Mafouta, Namnganda
Gabon possible starting lineup:
Mbaba; Oyono, Appindangoye, Moussounda, Ekomie; Loufilou, Lemina, Kanga; Allevinah, Aubameyang, Bouanga
We say: Central African Republic 0-1 Gabon
Goals have been few and far between for CAR over the last couple of matches, and we cannot see them stopping their attacking slump against Gabon.
We are backing the away side to eke out a win and celebrate AFCON qualification at the end of the 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
