AFCON 2021: What Team Gabon said ahead of Ghana tie on Friday

Ahead of Gabon’s second Group C tie against the Black Stars in the AFCON 2021, Gabon’s assistant head coach, Anicet Yala, and forward Johann Obiang, spoke at the pre-match press conference held on Thursday.

The team is seeking another win to hand them a ticket to the Round of 16 stage of the competition and they answered questions on the tie against the Black Stars, their physical condition, and how they plan to approach the game against Milovan Rajevac’s men on Friday.

Anicet Yala on the tie against Ghana on Friday

“Every match is unique in its own right. Thus, Ghana cannot afford to waste the opportunity of a second match and that tells us what kind of match it will be on Friday.

I will have to make that clear to the players so that on Friday, we put up a good performance.”

Anicet Yala on their physical conditioning against The Comoros

“Against The Comoros, we were lacking in terms of fitness and it was a difficult time for us. We noticed that (our physical condition) when we arrived in Cameroon.

You will remember that players missed two days of training and at this level of competition, it will cost you. We are grateful that we did not pay for it and we won our first match. Congrats to the players.

We had to be strong in that situation to handle the Comoros team.

Johann Obiang on their approach to face Ghana on Friday

“We know that a win takes us through to the Round of 16 but that is added motivation. The main thing is to be motivated to play against a great nation like Ghana.

We will prepare like we always do and we will put everything and give a good account of ourselves.”

The Gabonese will welcome back their captain and talisman, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, after he recovered from Covid-19 and he is expected to make the team for the match.

Anicet Yala did hint that he would be willing to play Aubameyang and all other important players in the team like Mario Lemina and forward Dens Bouanga.