Gabon will have to do without their captain for the remainder of the Africa Cup: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has returned to England.
The former Dortmund man Aubameyang had tested positive for the coronavirus on 6 January and had subsequently complained of problems in his heart area. “We made the wise decision to send him back to his club so they can examine him there,” Gabon national coach Patrice Neveu said in Cameroon on Monday.
Neveu had dispensed with his star in Gabon’s second group game against Ghana (1-1) last Friday. Neveu described it as a precautionary measure after the match. “We followed the protocol. It is very clear that Pierre-Emerick does not have a heart problem. It is possible that the illness has left its mark,” Neveu said a few days ago. Any player who tests negative after a positive coronary test must undergo a medical examination before being allowed to play again.
Gabon had only said that Aubameyang had suffered a “lesion” as a result of the corona infection. The Gabonese association did not provide a more precise diagnosis. The same applies to Aubameyang’s compatriot Mario Lemina, who is returning to OGC Nice.
Aubameyang should not be very happy about his early return to Arsenal. After all, the attacker has been at odds with the club lately, suspended and dropped as captain. Especially in the relationship with coach Mikel Arteta, there are said to have been several breaches of trust; under the Spaniard, Aubameyang has not been a regular player for a long time. It is not yet clear what his future with the Londoners will be.
“Final” in Group C against Morocco
Gabon are second in Group C of the Africa Cup with four points ahead of the final day of matches and have a good chance of reaching the knockout stages. However, the West Africans will have to face leaders Morocco (6 points) in their final group matchday on Tuesday evening (8pm)
