AFCON 2027 (Q): Niger galvanised by AES nationals in Gabon

Niger is benefiting from a strong wave of solidarity ahead of its meeting with Gabon. Having arrived in Libreville on Saturday after beating Lesotho (2-1), the Mena were welcomed by their compatriots living in Gabon, alongside members of the Malian and Burkinabè communities.

AES communities stand with the Mena

This show of support notably took the form of a meeting organised on Sunday at the initiative of Seydou Adamou, Niger’s honorary consul in Gabon. The Nigerien delegation was thus able to exchange views with diplomatic representatives of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Nina Oualet Intalou, Mali’s ambassador to Gabon, assured the Nigerien team of the support of Malian nationals living in Libreville and Franceville.

Issa Boro, Burkina Faso’s ambassador, also expressed the solidarity of the Burkinabè community towards the Mena. Present at the meeting, Elhadji Ibrahim Tiemogo Moussa, known as Kabo, director of elite sport, welcomed the initiative. Issaka Adamou, president of FENIFOOT, for his part stressed the importance of cohesion within the national team.

Niger aim to confirm their strong start against the Panthers

Buoyed by their victory over Lesotho on the opening day of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, the Mena are now turning their attention to their next challenge: travelling to Franceville to face Gabon on Tuesday. Captain Issoufou Oumarou, known as Ballé, summed up his team’s objective unequivocally: « We have come here to secure the three points. »

Head coach Nabil Neghiz will therefore be hoping to see his players confirm their strong start to the qualifiers. Against the Panthers, Niger will be able to count on the presence of their supporters and the solidarity of allied communities based in Gabon. Having begun with a 2-1 victory over Lesotho, the Mena will seek a second consecutive win as they continue their march towards AFCON 2027.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr