Central African Republic vs Gabon

The Central African Republic will round their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers fixtures against Gabon at the Orlando Stadium on Monday.

CAR go into their final qualifier with no pressure as they have already qualified, but for Gabon it will be very tense as they are one point shy of ensuring themselves the second place in Group B.

After CAR started their AFCON qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory against Lesotho on September 5, there were similar feelings arising that now the time for them to appear at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time around the corner.

Though Eloge Enza Yamissi’s men have lost each of their subsequent four matches by an aggregate of 12-0 to continue waiting for their first-ever appearance in Africa’s soccer festival.

Les Fauves lost their second qualifier 2-0 to Gabon on September 10 before being thoroughly routed by Morocco during the October international break.

Though still placed third at the group B standings, the Central African Republic, with little chances of qualifying to the next rounds, arrived to the Toyota Stadium on Thursday to confront the Lesotho knowing that nothing but a victory would have saved their[EAC] AFCON hopes.

While they had the better chances for the majority of the first half, CAR went into the break scoreless before being overtaken five minutes after the restart by Neo Mokhachane, whose goal was the difference-maker in Monday’s affair.

Although Gabon's 5-1 loss to Morocco at Stade de Franceville last time out means they will enter their last qualifier still looking over their shoulders, they have bounced back from a sluggish start to their qualification campaign to lie second in Group B after five rounds of games.

That was the second loss in five qualifying games, both of which came against Morocco. However, two victories and a draw put Les Pantheres in a position to qualify for Morocco.

Gabon's lead from third place has been reduced to three points after Lesotho's hard-fought 1-0 victory over CAR in their most recent match, and they are still usurpable going into the journey to Johannesburg.

After their failure to show up in Ivory Coast earlier this year, Monday's visitors will be confident of earning a spot at the 2018 continental event. They haven't missed out on successive AFCON tournaments since 2008.

Louis Mafouta's goal drought for club and nation now stands at five games after he failed to score against Lesotho, but the forward is anticipated to start at the top of the team.

Last time out, Denis Bouanga scored another goal to extend his recent run of success in front of goal. The Gabonese striker will be hoping to deliver once more.

Pierre-Emerick Although Aubameyang's three-game scoring streak for the away team ended against Morocco, the 35-year-old will support himself to go back on the score sheet after scoring in Monday's most recent encounter between the two teams.