Gabon are at their third finals and will be hoping to cash in on some of the improvement the team showed at South Africa '96.

At their 1994 debut, in Tunisia, they took along a sports pyschologist.

It soon became apparent why. They must have needed help to cope with their depression as they were brushed aside with contempt by Nigeria and Egypt, who beat them 3-0 and 4-0 respectively.

Two years later in Durban, South Africa, they appeared to have made up little ground as they went down 2-1 to Nations Cup new boys Liberia.

That defeat turned into a wake-up call and in their next game, against what was then Zaire, they came out and put on a marvellous display of fluent, fast-moving football to earn a quarter-final place with a 2-0 victory.

Jonas Ogandaga impressed in midfield and up front Guy Roger Nzamba always looked capable of scoring.

At the quarter-final stage, the Azingo once again did themselves proud, going out to Tunisia only after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.

In Kumasi, the Gabonese find themselves up against South Africa, whom they finished behind in the qualifying group.

As the only nation in the group not to have previously won the competition, it is going to be tough. But in Theodore Nzue Nguema they do possess the top marksman from the qualifying stages and he will have to be watched.

Gabon squad
		Coach: Antonio Dumas, Brazil
		Jacques Deckousshoud	FC 105 Libreville
		No player named	---
		Tristan Mombo	FC 105 Libreville
		Jean-Martin Mouloungui	No club
		Guy-Roger Nzeng	Orlando Pirates, S Africa
		Dieudonne Mouyouma	CA Paris, France
		Theodore Nzue Nguema	Sporting Braga, Portugal
		Constant Tamboucha	FC 105 Libreville
		Daniel Cousin	Niort, France
		Jonas Ogandaga	Olympique Mednine, Tunisia
		Francois Amegasse	Petrosport
		Chiva Nzighou	Nantes, France
		Bruno Mbanangoye	Petrosport
		Chantry Muie Nguema	Petrosport
		Eric Ondo	Zarzis, Tunisia
		Germain Mendome	Aigles Vert
		Yves Nzaboutamba	Zarzis, Tunisia
		Dieudonne Londo	Raja Casablanca, Morocco
		Rene Nsi-Akue	FC 105 Libreville
		Cedric Moubamba	Mbilinga
		Armand Ossey	Uniao Leiria, Portugal
		Michel Soumas	Petrosport