Gabon will be hoping to take a step closer to securing their second consecutive appearance at the AFCON when they welcome DR Congo to Stade de Franceville for a crucial qualification match on Sunday.
With all four sides still well in contention for a qualification spot, Group I has proven to be the most difficult to predict in these qualifiers, though the hosts currently sit atop the standings by the slenderest of margins, while a win for the visitors will see them draw level with Gabon, and possibly even move them into the top spot.
Match preview
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All the buzz around Gabon football in recent weeks has been to do with the confirmation that one of the country's sporting idols, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, will be returning to the national squad after meeting with the country's president.
The 33-year-old striker, whose future at Chelsea is far from set in stone, is The Panthers' all-time leading goalscorer with 30 and the most capped player that is still active with 72 international appearances since his debut in 2009.
His arrival comes at the perfect time, with The Panthers having suffered their first loss of the qualifiers in their last match against Sudan, where they evidently lacked a bit of spark at the top end of the pitch.
Patrice Neveu had built his team's campaign on the foundation of a solid defence and grinding out results, which they executed well by not conceding a single goal in their first three qualification matches.
However, after going behind to a 67th-minute goal by Muhamed Kome in the last match, Neveu's side never really looked like they were going to overturn the result, managing just a single shot on target in the match.
The Panthers have been tough to beat on home soil in recent times and come into this match unbeaten in their last four at home, with three draws and a win, while they have only suffered one home defeat in their last 10 internationals.
On their home patch, needing one more win to secure their qualification and bolstered by the return of their talisman, The Panthers should be raring to go in this one.
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Meanwhile, the football association of the Democratic Republic of Congo have been quite busy as well in preparation for this must-win match, announcing three new additions to what is now a 27-man squad.
The Leopards played out a 1-1 draw against Mauritania in their last match, following a 3-1 win over the same opponent, while losing their first two against Sudan and at home to this opponent in the opening round of matches.
Their four points to date leave them at the bottom of Group I, though if they win here and the match between Sudan and Mauritania ends in a draw, the Leopards could find themselves leapfrogging Gabon into pole position heading into their final match of the qualifiers against Sudan.
However, in order to keep their qualification hopes alive, they will need to reverse a two-match winless run and record what would be only their third win in their last 10 away matches.
DR Congo have also failed to beat The Panthers in their last three attempts, drawing one and losing two, with the most recent defeat coming almost exactly a year ago in the first match of these qualifiers.
Team News
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As mentioned, the big change for the Gabon side will be the reintroduction of Aubameyang, who will almost certainly lead the line in place of Louis Ameka, who was withdrawn before the hour mark against Sudan.
Shavy Warren Babicka is the only forward that has registered a goal for The Panthers and should form part of a three-man front line with Aubameyang and Aaron Boupendza.
Sebastien Desabre has recalled ex-PSG defender Dylan Batubinsika along with Rocky Bushiri and Esdras Kabamba, to the squad, while Cedric Bakambu and Joel Kiassumbua will head the other way.
Bakamu, who was the top scorer for Olympiacos this season, received a controversial red card against Mauritania in March and will be forced to miss out on this match, leaving the attacking responsibilities firmly on the shoulders of the youngster Fiston Mayele.
Gabon possible starting lineup:
Amonome; Oyono, Appindangoye, Palun, Ekomie; Kanga, Moucketou-Moussounda, Ndong; Babicka, Aubameyang, Boupendza
Congo DR possible starting lineup:
Mpasi; Amale, Mbemba, Batubinsika, Masuaku; Elia, Tshibola, Moutoussamy, Wissa; Mayele, Kakuta
We say: Gabon 1-1 Congo DR
Despite losing the last time these sides met, DR Congo dominated the match in every aspect but could not find the net in 16 attempts on goal, while Gabon scored one of only two shots on target to claim the win.
We still expect The Leopards to create loads of chances in this one, but with Gabon likely to be the happier of the two with taking a share of the spoils, we could see them sitting back and soaking up the pressure, which they are very capable of doing.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
