Denis Bouanga (Gabon): "Every African footballer aspires to play the AFCON”
On the eve of a crucial match FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Seychelles, Gabon forward, Denis Bouanga granted an exclusive interview to CAFOnline. He reflects on the current positive momentum of the Panthers, boosted by their qualification for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations and a team more united than ever.
The Los Angeles FC striker, who finished as the top scorer of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League with 7 goals, also discusses his team’s ambitions for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON.
Gabon will face tough opponents, including Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mozambique. Bouanga also revisits the absence of his country in the last AFCON, a tough moment for both him and his team.
Gabon finds itself in Group F, with neighbours like Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mozambique. What are your thoughts on this?
It's certainly a tough group. But we have the capacity to face it, as we demonstrated during our last participation. Three teams seem within our reach, and now it’s up to us to do everything we can to be among the top two.
We’ve just had a fantastic TotalEnergies CAF AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire, and Gabon wasn’t there. How did you feel about not participating?
It’s always painful to miss a competition like AFCON, especially with your country and its supporters. It affected many people, myself included, because I love playing in these tournaments. Watching the atmosphere in Côte d'Ivoire on TV, it was really regrettable that Gabon wasn’t there. But in the end, we can see it as a blessing in disguise, as we managed to qualify for the next edition.
Gabon seems to be on a good trajectory, boosted by their qualification for the AFCON. Do you think this progress marks the beginning of a new era for the Panthers?
Yes, I believe so. We’ve discovered many new players, and the team now has a solid core. We’re scoring goals while remaining solid defensively. Sure, in our recent matches against Morocco (5-1), we conceded, but I think we have a very strong squad. It’s a great era for Gabon, with a group capable of achieving great things. It’s up to us to stay consistent and maintain this mindset.
This progression is also thanks to coach Thierry Mouyouma’s work. What influence does he have as head coach?
He’s very attentive to his players. He has his own principles and ideas, which he puts into practice. On the field, we also have a say, but at least he provides a clear vision. It’s up to us to execute it. It works well.
He’s attentive to the players, regularly consulting the team’s key figures to know how they feel. This is undoubtedly what contributes to the current success and our qualification. Everything is going well, and we’re always happy to return to the national team when he calls us up.
What does the Africa Cup of Nations represent for you?
For me, it means a lot. Participating in this competition means representing your country in a tournament that many players dream of competing in. While we may not talk about the World Cup, which every footballer aspires to play in, we’re fortunate to experience the AFCON. For an African player, it’s a major event, almost like a first World Cup. It’s a unique competition, with an incomparable atmosphere. Whether it’s played in your own country or a neighbouring country, the excitement is always immense.
My first call-up was in 2017, during a AFCON. That’s when I understood what it represented, not just for me, but also for my family and everyone who supports us.
Gabon is in a good position for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, in second place in Group F with nine points, one point behind Côte d'Ivoire. How do you approach the upcoming matches to ensure qualification?
These are crucial matches, especially the ones at home, where we can’t afford to drop any points. The goal is clear: win all our home games and keep our winning momentum. Continuing from our qualification for the AFCON, we must seize this opportunity to get closer to a historic World Cup qualification.
One point behind isn’t much. The pressure is more on Côte d'Ivoire, which has to constantly look behind it. They know we’re right there, ready to seize any opportunity, especially since we’ll have the chance to face them at home. We’re in an ideal position. Now it’s up to us to keep up the momentum, maintain the same mindset, and believe in this immense dream, both for the country and for the players.
The World Cup will be held in the United States, a country you know well as you’ve been living there since 2022. What’s the vibe like, one year before the tournament kicks off?
At the moment, I’d say the vibe is still calm. The arrival of Lionel Messi has generated a lot of buzz, attracting huge crowds in all the cities where he plays. This shows a growing interest in football, even though it’s still not as popular in the United States as other major sports.
However, as the World Cup approaches, the attention around football is bound to increase. This event will bring enormous visibility and is expected to attract even more fans and enthusiasts. I really hope to be able to participate with my country; it would be an incredible achievement.
Finally, what do you enjoy the most about your life in the United States?
The weather! It rarely rains, and the weather is beautiful. There are so many things to do, and my family and I are really enjoying it here. As they say, it’s truly the American Dream. If I had to end my career here, I would do so without hesitation, both for myself and for future generations.
