Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been suspended by Gabon after a disastrous African Cup of Nations marketing campaign led to his early return dwelling to France
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been suspended by the Gabon authorities after the nation’s disastrous African Nations Cup marketing campaign. And the general public row brings again reminiscences of the previous Arsenal captain’s acrimonious departure from the North London membership in 2022.
The Marseille striker, now 36, arrived late in Morocco due to a thigh pressure – after which returned to France after solely two video games when the West African nation was already eradicated. Gabon misplaced their third group recreation to the Ivory Coast on Wednesday night time.
Sports activities Minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula then went on Gabon Tv to announce: “Given the Panthers’ disgraceful efficiency on the Africa Cup of Nations, the federal government has determined to dissolve the teaching employees, droop the nationwide group till additional discover, and take away gamers (captain) Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad.”
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Simply hours after the published, the video clip was deleted from the ministry’s web site and digital channels.
However Gabon President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had publicly criticised the group after the 3-2 defeat in opposition to Mozambique on December 28. He claimed the loss confirmed “the dearth of technique and the dispersion of assets” in addition to a “worrying erosion of patriotic spirit within the administration of sporting affairs.”
However the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea ahead took to X to say: “I feel the group’s issues are a lot deeper than the small individual that I’m.”
It’s not his first public falling out with a group. The Gabon star was an enormous fan favorite at Arsenal and scored each targets within the 2020 FA Cup closing to present Mikel Arteta his solely trophy so far.
However their relationship fell aside after the membership captain arrived late for a North London derby in March 2021. After returning late from a sanctioned journey to France later that yr, Aubameyang left the membership by “mutual settlement” in February 2022 and joined Barcelona.
This time, Aubameyang suffered a left thigh pressure after enjoying three video games in 10 video games and solely joined up with the Gabon squad on December 22 – two days earlier than their opening recreation in opposition to Cameroon. However Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma. introduced him on after solely 33 minutes together with his facet already a aim down.
Marseille weren’t comfortable however Mouyouma hit again: “I’m outraged by Marseille’s angle. They pay the participant, and in the course of the intervals after they use him, they do what they need.”
Aubameyang began and scored in opposition to Mozambique however Gabon misplaced 3-2. Within the dressing room at half-time, L’Equipe reported that he criticised the angle of his team-mates. And on the pitch, he shouted in frustration: “One cross, only one cross” and instructed Mexer to close up after the Mozambique defender gestured for him to be quiet.
After the sport, Aubameyang then left to return to Marseille – the place he has relationship with former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi – with Mouyouma claiming: “Since his arrival, we had been following a protocol established together with his membership, Olympique de Marseille. As soon as Gabon had nothing left to play for by way of outcomes and qualification, we reached an settlement together with his membership to launch him again so he might proceed his remedy.”
The Gabon coach added: “It is necessary to do not forget that Pierre-Emerick was decided, very robust. He performed a match and a half with this ache, and he had the need and the desire to signify his nation. His coronary heart wished it, his soul wished it. However his physique could not. That is the fact.”
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