CAN 2023-Qualifications: Gabon, the permanent miracle
CAN 2023-Qualifications: Gabon, the permanent miracle
Despite multiple logistical problems, fatigue and weariness of the players, Gabon managed to take four points during the first two days of qualifying for CAN 2023.
Gabon players managed the start of CAN 2023 qualifying well
While DR Congo is going through yet another crisis and has decided to part ways with its Argentine coach Hector Cuper after the defeats against Gabon (0-1) and Sudan (1-2) during the first two days of qualifying for the CAN 2023, his Gabonese executioners are going through the turbulence with a serenity that commands admiration. “ It's true that with four points, the debut is rather successful. Especially when we think back to the circumstances of the match in Kinshasa. Winning there, under these conditions, is a feat,”rewinds Patrice Neveu, the French,coach of the Panthers.The technician experienced the match from a room in a Parisian hotel, his eyes glued to his laptop. “ I watched the match on the Internet.It's not ideal, but after the technical problems of our plane between Paris and Barcelona, forcing the pilot to land urgently, the hours of waiting in Spain to find out if we could leave in time for Kinshasa... We was to land in the DRC on Thursday, June 2, and part of the delegation, including seventeen players, was able to take flight on Saturday very early in the morning. Me, I didn't want to take this flight, in order to be able to manage the operations until the end, but when I arrived at the airport with the seven other players and the rest of the staff, the plane had left. In DR Congo, Gabon managed a major performance, in the always particular context of the Martyrs stadium in Kinshasa, where the Leopards rarely lose.Nephew: “I am proud of my players”Patrice Neveu then reunited with his group on Monday June 6 in Libreville, two days before the reception of Mauritania in Franceville. Several leaders of FEGAFOOT wanted the delegation to fly off in the evening for the province of Haut-Ogooué, but the players, tired of travelling, asked – and obtained – to postpone the trip to the following morning. " There were discussions with the Ministry of Sports, the federation and myself, and it was the best solution ", pleads Neveu. In Franceville, the head of state Ali Bongo, traveling in the east of the country. received the players and the staff.But on the day of the match, the players, arriving at the stadium, found that the jerseys planned for the match were not in the lockers of their locker room. And it was with training outfits that were sometimes too small or too wide and flocked with felt that the Panthers faced Mauritania (0-0). “ We lacked freshness, accuracy in the last gesture, against a quality and well organized team. I think we could have imposed ourselves, but frankly, I can only be satisfied with what the players are doing, when they are tired by these difficulties. This team has real mental strength. “It remains to be seen whether these repeated problems will not end up wearing down a group that has been little spared in recent months…@
Gabon players managed the start of CAN 2023 qualifying well
Eastafricanreport.com
