Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will miss Gabon’s final group game against Cote d’Ivoire at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) due to a thigh injury.
The Gabon Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday that the 36-year-old striker is suffering from a thigh injury and they reached an agreement with his French Ligue 1 club Marseille for his immediate return for further treatment.
Aubameyang made two appearances in the tournament and he has a goal to his name after converting from the spot in their 3-2 loss to Mozambique.
Wednesday’s match against Cote d’Ivoire is an inconsequential game for Gabon as they currently sit at the bottom of Group F with no points after two matches.
“Following the established medical protocol between Marseille and Gabon medical staff regarding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, clinical examinations were conducted daily,” read the statement from the Gabon Football Federation.
“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.”
Since he made his international debut for the Panthers in 2009, Aubameyang has made 82 appearances for Gabon, scoring 39 goals.
At 36 years, it remains unclear if the 2015 African Footballer of the Year will draw the curtain on his international career anytime soon.
Aubameyang returned to Marseille in August after a successful brief spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Qadisiyah and his injury comes a worry for Roberto De Zerbi who is still without injured Algeria star Amine Gouiri since October.
This season, Aubameyang has contributred eight goals and nine assists in 19 games for Marseille across all competitions.
 due to a thigh injury and he is set to return to Ligue 1 club Marseille for treatment.){kind=link}