·         Best Olympic Result: Never qualified 

·         2008 Olympic Result: Did not qualify

·         Coach: Claude-Albert Mbourounot

Gabon surprised most by winning the inaugural African U23 Championships last year  but have had a less than ideal build up to the tournament.  Coach Claude-Albert Mbourounot has had to deal with a player unrest, poor preparation and will be missing key players but will head to London with the confidence of being African Champions.

Road to London: Gabon lost their opening match to Egypt and drew their second to South Africa. They looked certain to be eliminated in the group stage but came from behind to shock the favored  Côte d'Ivoire 3-1. They then surprised Group A winners Senegal in the semi-final 1-0 after extra time. Gabon won their first ever continental title, with a 2-1 victory over Morocco in the final.

 “We are going to play the Olympic Games for the first time after bringing home the first trophy in Gabon history. That makes us very proud, but it is not the end of the story,” said coach Claude-Albert Mbourounot.

“Playing an attractive, lively and spectacular football will be our aim,” he said. “A good result for us would be to go past the first round, to be among the last eight.”

Key players: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Remy Ebanega, Didier Ovono,  Bruno Ecuele Manga, Andre Biyogho Poko.

Mbouronot has called up 14 of the team that won in Morocco for the Games.

The country's two over-age players in the squad are goalkeeper Didier Ovono, 29, and defender Bruno Ecuele Manga, 23.

Gabon may be heading to the tournament with as few as 16 players with doubts surrounding the availability of their star centre-back and Ecuele Manga whose club have reportedly refused to release him, while fellow defender Emmanuel Ndong is injured.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Anthony Mfa Mezui (Metz, France), Didier Ovono (Le Mans, France)

Defenders: Emmanuel Ndong Mba (Sogea FC), Remy Ebanega, Henri Ndong (both Auxerre, France), Stevy Nzambe (Marseille, France), Bruno Ecuele Manga (Lorient)

Midfielders: Merlin Koumba Tandjigora (Carquefou, France), Cedric Boussoughou (Mangasport), Franck Engonga Obame (Mbiliaziami), Alexander Ndoumbou (Marseille), Landy Obiang Obiang (Sogea FC), Levy Madinda (Celta Vigo)

Forwards: Allen Nono (Mbiliaziami), Axel Meye Me Ndong (US Bitam), Ronuald Ntsitsigui (Mangasport), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (St Etienne, France).