Gabonese coach regrets the loss of Aubameyang after Gabon’s AFCON exit.

Gabonese coach regrets the loss of Aubameyang after Gabon’s AFCON exit.

Last Monday, the Arsenal striker returned to his club from Cameroon.

Gabon coach Patrice Neveu confessed his team struggled to make up for the loss of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after they were eliminated on penalties by Burkina Faso in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nice important midfielder Mario Lemina both departed Cameroon last Monday to return to their clubs, with Neveu stating at the time that it was to help both players to continue their rehabilitation from Covid-19 infections.

Despite being reduced to ten men midway through the second half in Limbe, Gabon made it through their group and brought Burkina Faso to extra time and then penalties.

“You lose assets if you take out two top-level international-class players, one of whom has been the best scorer in Germany, England, and France,” veteran Frenchman Neveu explained.

Aubameyang and Lemina tested positive just four days before Gabon’s first match against the Comoros, then tested negative before their 1-1 tie with Ghana in their second encounter, but were once again pulled out of the team after some infection remnant was discovered.

Before the Panthers’ last group encounter against Morocco, they were released to return to their clubs.

Both were said to be in good health after rejoining their clubs, and French publication L’Equipe reported on Sunday that the pair had been permitted to leave the group after deciding to spend a night out in Yaounde after their isolation.

“It was a very difficult issue to deal with.” They were forced to stay in their rooms due to heart irritation, but when they returned to their clubs, there was nothing,” Neveu explained.

“Can you tell me what you want me to say?” We tried to make up for their absence, but international-level players are difficult to replace.”

Gabon has never won a knockout matchup at the Cup of Nations, losing 7-6 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw on Sunday.