Gabon names AFCON 2017 team

Gabon has become the first team to name its final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

The team captain and Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the squad for the opening game of the tournament against Guinea-Bissau who will be making its debut on 14 January in Libreville.

Other names to make the final party include Didier Ndong of Sunderland, Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina, Bruno Ecuélé Manga of Cardiff City and China-based striker Malick Evouna.

Gabon coach José Antonio Camacho included three domestic-based stars and also placed three players on standby for the biennial Africa Cup of Nations, which runs between 14 January and 5 February.

The team which will host the tournament is placed in Group A with Guinea-Bissau, four-time winners Cameroon and 2013 runners-up Burkina Faso.

Here is the full list of the team:

Goalkeepers

Didier Ovono (KV Ostend / BEL), Yves Stéphane Bitséki Moto (CF Mounana / GAB), Anthony Mfa Mezui (Unattached).

Defenders

Bruno Ecuélé Manga (Cardiff City / WAL), André Biyogho Poko (Karabukspor / TUR), Aaron Appindangoye (Laval / FRA), Franck Perrin Obambou (Mandji Stage / GAB), Lloyd Palun Johann Serge Obiang (Troyes/FRA), Benjamin Zé Ondo (Mosta FC / MAL) and Yoann Wachter (Sedan/FRA)

Midfielders

Junior Serge Martinsson Ngouali (IF Brommapojkarna / SWE), Levy Clement Madinda (Nastic Tarragona / ESP), Gelor Kanga Kaku (Belgrade Red Star / SRB), Merlin Tandjigora (Meixian Hakka FC / CHN), Didier Ndong (Sunderland / ENG), Samson Mbingui (Raja Casablanca / MOR), Mario Lemina (Juventus, Italy)

Forwards

Denis Athanase Bouanga (Tours FC / FRA), Serge Kevyn Aboue Angoue (Uniao Leiria / POR), Cedric Ondo Biyoghe (CF Mounana), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund / GER), Malick Evouna (Tianjin Teda FC / GAB)

On standby

Axel Meyé (Eskisehirspor / TUR), Johan Lengoualama (Raja Casablanca / MOR), Donald Nzé (AS Pelican / GAB)