World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Who is Royce Openda, Mouyouma Thierry’s ‘wild card’ for the play-offs? | OneFootball

Who is Royce Openda, Mouyouma Thierry’s ‘wild card’?

Royce Openda/@GabonEco

Gabon’s head coach, Mouyouma Thierry, has sprung a surprise in his squad selection for the crucial African play-off clash for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Nigeria.

Indeed, he’s called up Royce Openda, the young winger from Girondins de Bordeaux. The Libreville native joined Bordeaux last July, arriving from FC Chambly Oise.

A product of AS Bouenguidi in Gabon, the 23-year-old moved to France in February 2022, featuring for Ch. Gontier, Lorient B, FC Chambly Oise, and now Bordeaux.

Renowned for his blistering pace and ability to beat defenders one-on-one, Openda dazzles National 2 pitches every weekend. This season, he’s tallied 2 goals and 1 assist across 9 matches in all competitions.

The Panthers will need every ounce of firepower to overcome the Nigerian hurdle on November 13, aiming to reach the play-off final against the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo.

The winner of the African play-off will go on to face five other teams from different confederations in the intercontinental play-off, with two coveted tickets to the Americas up for grabs.