Brazil look to continue with their winning ways in the unveiling of Gabon's new African Cup of Nations stadium.
Five-time world champions Brazil travel to Libreville to take on hosts Gabon in an international friendly match that will celebrate the inauguration of the Stade d'Angondje, the 40,000 capacity stadium that will host the final of the 2012 African Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by the locals.
Having lost only once in their last eleven outings, Brazil will try their best to continue with their impressive run of results, even if they will be without several of their key players, including the exciting Santos duo comprised of Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar. Brazil coach, Mano Menezes, solely opted to select foreign-based players for the friendly as he didn't want to affect the performances of clubs with the Brazilian championship reaching its exciting conclusion.
Menezes has encountered some problems when putting together his side, as Real Madrid midfielder Kaka was selected in the squad, however, withdrew due to injury. Had he been healthy it would have been his first appearance for Brazil since the 2010 World Cup. His fellow Real Madrid team-mate Marcelo also picked up an injury and is out as well. Due to the fact that Menezes had to assemble a side affected by injuries and club commitments, he could well present up to seven players with debuts against Gabon. Both Kleber and Willian are expected to make their senior national team debuts alongside Hulk in Brazil's strong three-man attack.
Brazil, the most celebrated side in international soccer, are the firm favourites to claim the three points, not only because of their history, but because of the wealth of talent present in their squad. The Selecao are still under a rebuilding process, after having been eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the 2011 Copa America, even if it was on penalties against Paraguay.
Gabon, on the other hand, are African minnows who will look to claim a positive result against Brazil in order to motivate them ahead of next year's African Cup of Nations. A win over the South American giants seems rather unlikely, but if Gabon manage to pull it off it would surely be amongst their greatest achievements of all time.
The Pathers' have been in good form of late, having picked up two wins against Niger and Equatorial Guinea and a draw against Guinea in their last three games. The Africans count with a full-strength squad, including former AC Milan striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Despite the fact that Gabon are little-known outside of Africa, several of their squad members have international experience, and this could improve their chances of picking up a positive result against the Brazilians.
Having lost only once in their last eleven outings, Brazil will try their best to continue with their impressive run of results, even if they will be without several of their key players, including the exciting Santos duo comprised of Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar. Brazil coach, Mano Menezes, solely opted to select foreign-based players for the friendly as he didn't want to affect the performances of clubs with the Brazilian championship reaching its exciting conclusion.
Menezes has encountered some problems when putting together his side, as Real Madrid midfielder Kaka was selected in the squad, however, withdrew due to injury. Had he been healthy it would have been his first appearance for Brazil since the 2010 World Cup. His fellow Real Madrid team-mate Marcelo also picked up an injury and is out as well. Due to the fact that Menezes had to assemble a side affected by injuries and club commitments, he could well present up to seven players with debuts against Gabon. Both Kleber and Willian are expected to make their senior national team debuts alongside Hulk in Brazil's strong three-man attack.
Brazil, the most celebrated side in international soccer, are the firm favourites to claim the three points, not only because of their history, but because of the wealth of talent present in their squad. The Selecao are still under a rebuilding process, after having been eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the 2011 Copa America, even if it was on penalties against Paraguay.
Gabon, on the other hand, are African minnows who will look to claim a positive result against Brazil in order to motivate them ahead of next year's African Cup of Nations. A win over the South American giants seems rather unlikely, but if Gabon manage to pull it off it would surely be amongst their greatest achievements of all time.
The Pathers' have been in good form of late, having picked up two wins against Niger and Equatorial Guinea and a draw against Guinea in their last three games. The Africans count with a full-strength squad, including former AC Milan striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Despite the fact that Gabon are little-known outside of Africa, several of their squad members have international experience, and this could improve their chances of picking up a positive result against the Brazilians.
