Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Departs AFCON Immediately

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has departed the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) immediately, despite Gabon having one group match remaining. The 36-year-old striker, who has played for notable clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea, participated in two matches during the tournament, contributing one goal and 57 minutes of play off the bench. Unfortunately, Gabon faced defeats in both matches, including a narrow 1-0 loss to Cameroon and a 3-2 defeat against Mozambique.

Aubameyang’s Departure Amid Group Stage Elimination

After Gabon’s elimination from AFCON, Aubameyang has returned to France to rejoin his club, Marseille. His absence includes missing the final group match against the reigning champions, Ivory Coast, scheduled for Wednesday.

Injury and Medical Protocol

Aubameyang had been nursing a thigh injury, which limited his participation from the start of the tournament. A statement from the Gabon football federation indicated that he experienced discomfort following the match against Mozambique. In light of this, clinical examinations were conducted daily to assess his condition.

• Initial Injury: Thigh discomfort noted before the tournament.
• Performance: Participated in two matches, scoring once.
• Future Focus: Returned to Marseille for further clinical evaluations.

Given Gabon’s disappointing results and to prioritize his well-being, medical staff decided to exempt Aubameyang from the subsequent match. This AFCON could mark the veteran player’s final major tournament, after making his international debut in 2009.

Career Highlights

Aubameyang is a talismanic figure for Gabon, having scored 39 goals across 82 caps. He has previously been recognized as African Footballer of the Year in 2015 and helped Gabon reach the quarter-finals in 2012. Despite individual success, he endured a challenging AFCON this time around.

Current Season Performance

In his current season with Marseille, Aubameyang has demonstrated his skills by scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists in all competitions.

The departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the AFCON highlights both his enduring legacy in African football and the unfortunate challenges posed by injuries.