Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma expressed deep frustration after his team’s World Cup exit to Nigeria, citing crucial individual errors and a controversial VAR decision as major factors.
The Panthers exited the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after a 4–1 defeat in Rabat, despite forcing extra time through Mario Lemina’s last-minute equaliser. The loss was particularly painful for senior players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lemina and Bruno Ecuele-Manga, whose hopes of playing at the World Cup may have ended.
Mouyouma admitted Nigeria were superior in the first half but insisted his team dominated the second period. He told Afrik Foot: “We thought that goal would give us a slight psychological edge over the Nigerians. In the first half, we have to acknowledge our opponents’ dominance, but I think the second half was in our favour, even though we conceded a goal during our best spell. But in extra time, we made more costly individual errors. And we gradually fell apart.”
His strongest criticism, however, was directed at the officiating after a six-minute VAR review failed to award Gabon a penalty. “Of course! It was a penalty for us… This decision is deeply unfair, and we feel wronged,” he said.
With their World Cup campaign over, the team will now shift focus to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.