Gabon paid $570,000 to the Brazil FA to host them in their last friendly. On Tuesday evening the Central Africans play Ghana in France. It should be strictly business, too, but on the field.

The Black Stars themselves have had several days of rest, having seen their scheduled friendly with Sierra Leone called off. Playing Gabon, for whom every match between now and kickoff of the African Cup in January is close to a final, should be a good test for Ghana.

Gabon lost to Brazil at their newly built Stade de L’Amitie Stadium, but their style gave clues for what to expect. German boss Gernot Rohr has insisted that only active footballers will be considered for the Cup of Nations, meaning that even Daniel Cousin, the country’s best known footballer did not get to start against the Selecao.

Style and threats

Gabon typically play with pace and directness, building on their natural athleticism. They attack teams down the flanks, and, most importantly, play without fear. Lest we forget, in the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign the Panthers beat Ghana, took three points off Togo and were victorious against Morocco, both home and away.

25-year old Roguy Meye is experienced at international level and could be a tricky opponent to deal with. Gabon’s best player in recent games has been Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang, whose biggest asset is his trickery.

Didier Ovono in goal holds the team together from the back and is the undisputed leader of the side. His ball distribution usually forms the basis for attacks from the Azingo Nationale. His targets are often the fast-paced wingers, especially winger Eric Mouloungui and striker Stéphane N'Guéma – who are able to cut in and interchange positions as well.

The weakest link should be Remy Ekwa, who is jittery in central defence, but his flaws are usually covered by Bruno Manga, who is quite steady. Despite struggling for form at the moment, Daniel Cousin is always a threat due to his experience. Now unattached, Cousin plays for the Sapins club in the start-stop Gabonese local league.

The gaffer

On the bench, the German coach is an oasis of stability. Gabon famously changed coaches six times between 2000 and 2003, with casualties including Brazilian legend Jairzinho and Frenchman Alain Giresse.

The legacy of these two men is akin to what Milovan Rajevac left Ghana – tactical discipline. Like Ghana as well, the German has inherently a “cooked” team from ex-boss Giresse, who was sacked only because he was unable to qualify the country past the group stages of Angola 2010, despite having a great qualifying run.

Possible lineup

Gabon: Didier Ovono – Rodrigue Moundounga, Remy Ekwa, Charly Mossouno, Bruno Emanga – Palun Lloyd, Andre Poko, Levy Madinda, Eric Moulongui – Pierre Emerick Aubemeyang, Roguy Meye.

Gabon are in Group C of the next African Cup with Niger, Morocco and Tunisia.