Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be available for selection when Gabon take on Morocco at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Cameroon on Tuesday, Gabon FA has announced.
Gabon FA announced that Aubameyang was subject to further medical check-up after he was found to have a heart lesion problem upon recovering from Covid-19 last week in Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
“The Panthers have all been back to training since Sunday afternoon (scrubbing session on Saturday for the substitutes).
Nothing new for the two star players of the Panthers. It is in principle today that the medical staff of Gabon will know a little more about the future of their players in the competition at the end of the counter-expertise,” the FA announced in a statement released via its website.
“The CAF medical protocol provides for a PCMA medical examination + Post COVID-19 assessment
● Cardiac consultation ● An electrocardiogram ● A cardiac ultrasound ● Pulmonary
scan ● Cardiac MRI.”
Aubameyang, who has fallen out at Arsenal with coach Mikel Arteta, missed AFCON games against Comoros and Ghana.
Arsenal doctors eventually spoke to Gabon FA saying the striker’s heart condition was not serious and he returned to training.
Aubameyang has since spoken of the time he is spending in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Cameroon.
However, Aubameyang could not play as a precaution while waiting for further tests. He has since spoken about the time in isolation.
“After such a period, staying locked up is not easy. So we are happy to be back in training and the group,” he told Gabon FA website.
“Fine. I had the opportunity to still be able to work in my room. I got a bike and treadmill. So I tried physically to keep in top shape, of course it won’t be easy, because it’s not the rhythm of matches and training sessions, but we’ll go with it.
Gabon FA has since announced that Nice midfielder Mario Lemina and forward Axel Meye have returned to training after testing negative for Covid.
The duo has returned alongside Palun, Gil Christ Nguema, Obissa and Mayi, Gabon FA has announced.
Gabon have four points from two games and stand a chance to advance to the knockout stage.