Gabon's Panthers lose two players before Lesotho match
Goalkeeper Junior François Bekale had a convulsive episode on a flight, and Orphé Mbina has been ruled out with a thigh injury.
Gabon's national football team has lost two players ahead of its match against Lesotho, set for Friday, November 13, in Franceville. Goalkeeper Junior François Bekale suffered a convulsive episode on a flight from Libreville to Mvengué, and Orphé Mbina is also out for physical reasons.
The Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot) said in a statement on November 8 that the seizure lasted about five minutes and that the team's medical staff on board gave immediate help. Bekale is being evacuated by air to the Omar Bongo Ondimba Army Instruction Hospital in Libreville for further examinations, and no conclusions have yet been drawn. Mangasport goalkeeper Joël Mbore has been called up to replace him, making his first senior national team appearance.
Mbina has an intermittent discomfort in his left adductor and will rest for one week, according to the medical staff of his club, Sabah FK. The technical staff has called up Alan Do Marcolino to replace him.
Why it mattersBekale is under medical evaluation and Mbina will rest for a week, leaving the squad with new goalkeeper Joël Mbore and Alan Do Marcolino.