LIMBE, Cameroon – Gabon released Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina to return to their clubs after they were diagnosed with heart lesions during their recovery from Covid-19 at the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Aubameyang, a striker for Arsenal in the English Premier League, and Lemina, a midfielder with French club Nice, will undergo more thorough medical tests at their clubs, the Gabon Football Federation said.
The federation announced that the players were diagnosed with “cardiac lesions” in tests by Confederation of African Football medical officials who were checking on their condition after they contracted the coronavirus.
Aubameyang and Lemina tested positive for the virus at an airport in Cameroon on their arrival for the African Cup.
They missed Gabon’s first game while in isolation and the second game after CAF’s medical commission advised that they shouldn’t play following the tests.
Gabon said the checks were procedural for all players returning to action at the African Cup after a positive virus test.
While the federation announced they both had heart lesions, Gabon coach Patrice Neveu later said neither player had serious heart problems but rather they were suffering from some aftereffects of Covid.
Aubameyang posted on Twitter according to AP: “We have problems that are already complicated to solve, then on top of that there are rumours, in short, we have our health to take care of first and foremost.”
Several other Gabon players have tested positive for the virus at the African Cup, as has coach Neveu.
Gabon plays Morocco in its final group game with a place in the knockout stages at stake and without two of its best players.
Ngowet Allevinah scored a late equaliser to earn Gabon an important 1-1 draw against Ghana in Yaounde on Friday.
The Black Stars came into the match on the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to Morocco. The former champions broke the deadlock through captain Andre Dede Ayew before Ngowet Allevinah equalised for Gabon late on.
The Panthers started brightly in Yaoundé with their full backs providing an outlet on the wide areas. Guelor Kaku found space on the right to deliver an inviting cross which Daniel Amartey headed away.
Bruno Ecuele Manga saw his effort blocked by the sliding challenge of Black Stars defender Alexander Kwabena after Iddrisu Baba had deflected a shot into the area.
Jordan Ayew who operated on the right side of the Black Stars attack beat his marker out wide to send a cross straight into the hands of Jean Noel Amonome.
Captain Andre Dede Ayew gave Ghana the lead with clinical strike on 19 minutes to revive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
With his back towards goal Ayew cleverly turned away from Gabon’s Anthony Henri to shoot past the Jean Noel Amonome.
Without their talisman, Aubameyang, Gabon continue to find space on the wide areas through Kaku whose fierce cross was cleared by the outstanding Amartey.
Andre Ayew headed wide of the goal for while Bouanga tried to surprise Luke Wollacut from set piece three minutes before the break.
Gabon started the second half better with several openings against the Ghanaians who tried to keep possession.
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