Blow for Gabon as Aubameyang ruled out of AFCON opener

Gabon national team have suffered a huge blow as they prepare to kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Morocco.

The Panthers will miss the services of their talisman and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has been ruled out owing to a thigh injury. The 36-year-old Aubameyang picked up the injury while playing for Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1.

🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been ruled out of Gabon’s opening AFCON match against Morocco. 🤕❌🇬🇦 pic.twitter.com/n3Wsw2LlxG

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) December 15, 2025

In the game played on Sunday, Olympique de Marseille won the game 1-0. The Gabonese Football Federation has issued a statement to confirmed that Aubameyang will remain in France for treatment before joining up with the squad.

The FA further confirmed there are hopes that the former Arsenal captain will be available for their next two Group F games at the tournament in Morocco.

“Olympique de Marseille’s medical staff requested that Aubameyang receive medical treatment in Marseille after consulting with the national team’s medical staff,” said a federation statement.

“The player is unavailable for the December 24 match against Cameroon. Depending on his clinical and imaging progress, participation in the December 28 match against Mozambique is possible.”

Gabon have not gone beyond quarterfinals since 2012

The statement clearly means Aubameyang will miss the opener against Cameroon at Stade Adrar on December 24.

However, the forward could return for matches against Mozambique on Sunday, December 28, and Ivory Coast on Wednesday, December 31.

Aubameyang was scheduled to arrive in Morocco on the back of eight goals and nine assists this season for Marseille. In his absence for the opener, Gabon will have to rely on Denis Bouanga of LAFC, veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga, midfield general Mario Lemina and full-back Jacques Ekomié.

The Panthers have not gone beyond the quarterfinals since 2012 and will be seeking for a better outing in the North African nation.

Gabon’s final 28-man squad for AFCON 2025;

Goalkeepers
• Mbaba Loyce Marius
• Ngoubi Demba Anse
• Bekale Junior

Defenders
• Oyono Antony
• Oyono Jérémy
• Obiang Johann
• Ekomie Jacques
• Appindangoye A.
• Ecuele Manga Bruno
• Moucketou Alex
• Kila Onfia Mick
• Do Marcolino Jonathan
• Mboula Uriel-Michel

Midfielders
• Mario Lemina
• Nze Samake
• Kanga Guelor
• Bocoum Eric
• Poko B. André
• Loufilou Ruben
• Ndong Ibrahim

Forwards
• Shavy Babicka
• Avelrant Teddy
• Denis Bouanga
• Essang-Matou Edlin
• Malick Evouna
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
• Royce Openda
• Jim Allevinah