Gabon national team coach Thierry Mouyouma expresses gratitude to South Africa for his development as a player and coach.

Mouyouma, who was appointed as Gabon’s coach in November 2023, has guided the team to a strong position in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Gabon earned four points from Lesotho, drawing at home and winning 2-0 in a neutral venue at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday.

With Morocco already qualified as hosts, Gabon, Lesotho, and the Central African Republic are competing for the remaining qualifying spot. Gabon’s success in the upcoming qualifiers against Morocco and the Central African Republic will determine their participation in the AFCON finals.

Mouyouma credits South Africa for his ability to speak English and for the valuable experiences he gained while playing for Bidvest Wits and Ajax Cape Town.

“I always thank South Africa for my development,” said Mouyouma. 

“When I came here, it is here where I learnt to speak English because I could speak other African languages in South Africa. 

“The last AFCON, I was supporting countries from Central Africa – Cameroon, DR Congo, Angola and South Africa. 

“Those nations I would like to see (success) because it is countries that I played. But the PSL has changed a lot, because even the South African football has changed.”  

He also acknowledged the development of South African football, highlighting the impressive performances of players like Teboho Mokoena and Ronwen Williams.

“They (SA players) usually play around knocking, wasting time with the ball,” he said. 

“But now they are very quick, they are playing vertical game and possessional game, they have excellent players like Teboho Mokoena, he is a good player, the goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. 

“So, I’m still watching the SA league, and I hope many countries in Africa can take that example, in terms of investment of the league. 

“You saw in Tanzania is doing well. But the person who went to organize that is a South African (Senzo Mbatha), he is now in Botswana, and he is doing well as well there.”  

Mouyouma added he learned a lot from Igesund on how to win matches and that has aided him along with Gabonese players who are playing in the top leagues in Europe.

“My first coach was Roger De Sa, then Zeca Marques, and I want to thank them what they did to me,” he said. 

“I met Gordon, and he used to say ‘I know how to win matches’, and he knew as well when he was struggling to win the game. Now, being the coach, I can feel it and take all that he was saying, and now I know why he was telling us those things.”        

Gabon’s next two qualifiers are scheduled for November against Morocco and the Central African Republic, but the dates may be subject to change. A successful campaign will secure Gabon’s place in the AFCON finals.