AfroCan 2027: Gabon beats Cameroon (83-80) then Congo (86-58) to secure their ticket to Kigali

Gabon qualified for the final phase of the AfroCan 2027 by crushing the Republic of the Congo 86-58 on Sunday, October 11, 2026, in Douala, Cameroon. The day before, the Panthers had already overturned the host country, Cameroon, 83-80 at the Japoma Sports Complex. Two matches, two victories: in this three-team mini-tournament, only one spot was at stake, and it is Gabon that takes it.

Abessolo and Moupomo in charge

Against Congo, Adonis Abessolo scored 20 points, including five three-pointers. Dolvitch Moupomo delivered a complete performance with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists, for an efficiency rating of 25. Hermann Junior Boukosso added 11 points, 6 assists, and 10 steals (efficiency rating of 19), and Darcy Makambo contributed 12 points and 5 rebounds, according to Gabonews. At the final whistle, the gap reached 28 points. The team is coached by Johd Masnoudji and Fabrice Nolet.

A decisive ranking

The official FIBA table confirms the group hierarchy: Gabon finishes first with two wins and four points, ahead of Cameroon (one win, one loss, three points) and Congo (two losses, two points). The Cameroonians had, however, started their tournament by beating Congo 86-63 before falling to the Gabonese.

Heading to Rwanda

The final phase of the AfroCan 2027 will be held in Kigali, according to Gabonews, and Gabon arrives there with real ambitions, writes the Gabonese agency. The qualification window remains open on the FIBA website until May 31, 2027, for other zones on the continent.

For Gabonese basketball, the result is worth more than just a ticket. Going to win in Douala, in front of the Cameroonian public, and then dominating Congo by 28 points is proof that an African national team can rise to the continental forefront without a roster of expatriate stars. Kigali will tell how far the Panthers can go.