PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has left the Africa Cup of Nations with immediate effect – despite his nation still having a group game remaining.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker, 36, played 57 minutes off the bench in his nation’s opening game at the tournament – a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon – and the full match of a 3-2 defeat against Mozambique in which he scored.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has left Afcon early after Gabon were eliminated from the tournamentCredit: AFP
Those two defeats have condemned Gabon to an early exit from Afcon.
He has now flown back to France to return to his club side Marseille, which will see him miss the final group stage game against holders Ivory Coast on Wednesday.
Aubameyang picked up a thigh injury on the eve of the tournament which meant he had to start Gabon’s opener on the bench.
And a statement from the Gabon football federation confirmed he was returning to his club side for “clinical examinations” after suffering “discomfort” in his thigh after the Mozambique clash.
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The federation said: “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.”
This Afcon may be the former Borussia Dortmund star’s final major tournament with his nation.
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This was his sixth appearance at the tournament, having previously been African Footballer of the Year in 2015.
Aubameyang helped his nation reach the quarter-finals of the competition in 2012, but was the only player to miss their penalty in a shootout defeat to Mali.
Having made his debut in 2009, he has been a talismanic figure for The Panthers, scoring 39 goals across 82 caps.
He has scored eight goals and added 10 assists in all competitions for Marseille this season.
Premier League players expected to depart for AFCON
Arsenal
No players leaving for AFCON
Aston Villa
- Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast)
AFC Bournemouth
Brentford
- Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
- Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)
- Brighton & Hove Albion
Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)
Burnley
- Lyle Foster (South Africa)
- Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo)
- Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)
Chelsea
No players leaving for AFCON
Crystal Palace
- Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
- Christantus Uche (Nigeria)
- Chadi Riad (Morocco)
- Cheick Doucoure (Mali)
Everton
- Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
- Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
Fulham
- Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)
- Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
- Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria)
Leeds United
No players leaving for AFCON
Liverpool
Manchester City
- Omar Marmoush (Egypt)
- Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria)
Manchester United
- Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
- Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
- Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
Newcastle United
- *Yoanne Wissa (DR Congo) *not been selected due to injury
Nottingham Forest
- Ibrahim Sangaré (Ivory Coast)
- Willy Boly (Ivory Coast)
- Ola Aina (Nigeria)
- Taiwo Awoniyi (Nigeria)
Sunderland
- Noah Sadiki (DR Congo)
- Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast)
- Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco)
- Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique)
- Ahmed Abdullahi (Nigeria)
- Habib Diarra (Senegal)
- Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo)
- Blondy Nna Noukeu (Cameroon)
- Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso)
Tottenham Hotspur
- Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)
- Yves Bissouma (Mali)
West Ham United
- El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal)
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo)
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast)
- Jackson Tchatchoua (Cameroon)
- Tolu Arokodare (Nigeria)
- Marshall Munetsi (Zimbabwe)
- Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe)
