Aubameyang, coach Mouyouma hail Kenya's hospitality after Gabon’s win over Gambia

Gabon’s head coach Thierry Mouyouma and star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have shared heartfelt words after their thrilling 4–3 victory over Gambia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers match at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi.

In a post-match interview, Mouyouma and Aubameyang praised Kenya’s hospitality, reflected on the match, and emphasised respect and unity in African football. Mouyouma, in particular, expressed admiration for Kenya and its football progress under coach Benni McCarthy.

“I believe in Kenya. Since Benni McCarthy arrived, he’s been doing a good job. He’s trying to build the team for the next qualification. Kenya had some goalkeeper problems some months back, but they’re improving. When you come from that situation, you can’t let your team go down easily,” said Mouyouma.

Mouyouma revealed he had been cheering for Kenya in their previous qualifier.

“I wanted Kenya to beat Gambia. If Kenya had won that game, they could have been second or third in the group. Unfortunately, they didn’t. But now, we expect them to beat the Ivory Coast, and we’ll support them. We’ve played twice in Kenya, and we are always welcome here. Kenya has been good to us,” he revealed.

The Gabon tactician also addressed tensions from The Gambia’s side, reminding fellow coaches and players that football should foster peace, not hostility.

“Football is not just about tactics and technique; it’s also about mentality,” he said.

Adding, “The Gambia coach said before the game that we are not friends and referred to something that happened six years ago. But he wasn’t even there then. He’s a foreign coach; he should come to Africa to bring peace, not fire. That’s important.”

He praised Kenya again for setting the right example of sportsmanship.

“When we played Kenya, they lost against us, but they never insulted our players,” Mouyouma said. “They applauded us. At the airport, at the hotel, they helped us. That is football. Football is not war.”

He revealed that he had used the Gambia coach’s harsh words to motivate his team.

“I told my players we have to beat them because of what he said. Six years ago, they made us sleep at the airport in Gambia, and that was not football. But when they came to Gabon, we helped them. Even their CHAN team, we gave them support. So when a foreign coach comes to Africa, he must help bring peace between people, not divide them.”

Aubameyang, who stole the show with four goals, echoed his coach’s appreciation of Kenya and reflected proudly on his performance.

“I had some good assists from my guys, and I was very clinical tonight-four shots, four goals,” he said. “That’s what a top striker should do.”

The Gabon striker admitted he came into the game with something to prove after feeling below par in their last outing.

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• coach Mouyouma hail Kenya's hospitality after Gabon’s win over Gambia

“I think it was important for me tonight to show the way,” he explained. “In the last game against the Ivory Coast, the whole team played very well, but I was not happy with my performance. So tonight, I wanted to step up and lead, and I did.”

Aubameyang also spoke warmly about the Kenyan fans who cheered for Gabon throughout the game.

“I’m very happy to see such nice people here,” he said. “As I said last time, I’m always happy to be in Kenya. Lovely people, great atmosphere, and good energy from the crowd, thank you for the support.”

The win keeps Gabon among the top teams in Group F. Beyond the football, their coach and captain’s words conveyed a deeper message of respect, humility, and unity across African football.