Injured Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sent home from AFCON

Gabon’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage ended with a 3–2 loss to Mozambique on Sunday, a match in which Aubameyang scored his 40th international goal. The Panthers had opened their campaign with a 1–0 defeat to Cameroon and are now set to finish bottom of Group F, with group leaders Ivory Coast still to play on Wednesday.

Aubameyang entered the tournament carrying a muscle strain, featuring for an hour against Cameroon before completing the full 90 minutes against Mozambique. At 36, his time with the national team may be nearing its end.

In a statement, the Gabonese Football Federation explained that regular medical assessments were conducted in line with agreed protocols between the national team and Marseille. The latest examination confirmed discomfort in Aubameyang’s left thigh following the Mozambique match.

With Gabon already eliminated, the medical staff, in consultation with his club, decided to prioritise the player’s health by excusing him from the final group fixture, which no longer had any competitive significance.

A Gabon football federation statement read: "Following the established medical protocol between Marseille and Gabon medical staff ‍regarding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, clinical examinations were conducted daily.

"The most recent examination confirmed the ‍discomfort he experienced in his ‌left thigh the day after the Gabon-Mozambique match.

“Given the disappointing results, which cut short Gabon's participation, the medical staff, in consultation with his club, agreed to protect the player's physical well-being by exempting him from ⁠the final, inconsequential match.”