Panthers of Gabon head coach Thierry Mouyouma acknowledged that his team fell short in their 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff semi-final against Nigeria.
Gabon suffered a 4-1 defeat to the Super Eagles in Rabat on Thursday, as Nigeria dominated the encounter from the first half.
The Super Eagles created several opportunities early, with strikers Victor Osimhen and Jerome Adams Akor threatening Gabon’s defence.
Gabon showed renewed energy after the break but could not contain Nigeria’s attacking prowess, allowing the Super Eagles to secure a place in the final.
Mouyouma admitted that his team struggled both offensively and defensively. “We were not good enough. We were not sharp enough in the offensive box, and we didn’t defend well in our defensive box. Nigeria did both and scored,” he said after the match.
Despite the heavy scoreline, the coach insisted that it did not fully reflect his team’s efforts during the game.
“The match was decided on fine margins. The scoreline doesn’t show how well we competed against one of the most dangerous attacking sides in Africa,” Mouyouma added.
The defeat ends Gabon’s campaign in the 2026 World Cup playoffs, while Nigeria progresses to the final stage of the qualifiers.
Mouyouma emphasized the need for his team to improve execution in critical areas as they regroup for future competitions.
