Gabon vs Ghana Predictions

• Gabon have avoided defeat in their last four AFCON matches, winning their opening group game against Comoros 1-0.
• Ghana have failed to win six of their last seven AFCON games and lost their Group C opener to Morocco.
• Gabon will have Mario Lemina back for this game and possibly Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang too.

Panthers can pick up the result they need

Gabon will be boosted by the return of at least one of their two top stars as they seek the result that could send them through to the last-16 against Ghana on Friday.

The Panthers have been beset by problems in Cameroon so far with rows over unpaid bonuses and the squad being unhappy with the team hotel prior to Monday’s 1-0 win over Comoros, which was achieved without both COVID-hit stars Mario Lemina and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Lemina has since tested negative and can face Ghana in game two with Aubameyang also standing a chance as he remains asymptomatic.The addition of one or both of these to a side that is already buoyant after the Comoros win should boost Gabon enough to give Ghana a very hard time at Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo.

Black Stars rarely shine outside Ghana

Ghana were poor in their defeat to Morocco, creating little of note and falling to a late sucker punch after a lapse in collective concentration. The Black Stars will be desperate to avoid another loss that would push them to an early exit and may decide that a draw against Gabon is not that bad a result.

Ghana’s recent AFCON finals record inspires little confidence either as the four-time tournament winners have won only one of their last seven games in the finals. Coupled with Gabon’s record of avoiding defeat in their last four finals games, we are taking the Panthers in the double chance market as the main bet here.

The Black Stars, who were beaten 3-0 by Algeria on the eve of the tournament, have won only one of the last nine games they have played outside Ghana. They also rarely score more than once on their travels, hence the selection here is for a 1-1 draw.