Reduced by a left thigh injury, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will return to Marseille. His selection having already been eliminated, the Gabonese striker will not play the last meeting of the group stage of the 2025 African Cup of Nations against Ivory Coast (Wednesday 8 p.m.), as announced by the Gabonese Football Federation (Fega) on Facebook.
“As a logical continuation of the process of monitoring the medical protocol consensually established between the medical staff of Marseille and that of the Panthers regarding the player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, clinical examinations are carried out on a daily basis. The latest confirmed the feeling of discomfort that occurred in the left thigh the day after the Gabon-Mozambique match,” explains the body in its press release.
“The sporting results having shortened the Panthers’ stay at this African Cup of Nations, in consultation with his club, the medical staff agreed to preserve the physical integrity of the player by exempting him from the last match without a sporting issue,” she continues. Consequently, the player is made available to his club to continue the support started in the selection. »
Aubameyang available against Paris?
Arriving at the CAN in a physical condition considered unstable, the Olympique de Marseille striker entered the game during the first match against Cameroon even though he had been announced forfeit. Enough to crystallize criticism in the Marseille city, where managers and supporters feared a relapse from their player.
Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma then protested against “the attitude of Marseille”. “This contempt for the CAN must stop,” he railed. We do not receive diktats from anyone to use players who were born in the country. This is valid for Marseille and all the clubs that can think of it. »
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will therefore leave Morocco, where the competition takes place. Olympique de Marseille is preparing for a busy start to 2026, starting with the reception of Nantes in the championship on Sunday (3 p.m.), before a trip to Kuwait to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions Trophy on January 8. It remains to be seen whether his Gabonese attacker will be there or not.
