As Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns to Marseille, Gabon boss praises injured striker’s commitment

Gabon manager Thierry Mouyouma has praised the fortitude shown by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the forward shrugged off a thigh problem to play at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Aubameyang’s scoring appearance in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat against Mozambique, a result that put paid to Gabon’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the competition, marked the 36-year-old’s second outing in Morocco.

Defying fears that he would be sidelined by injury, Aubameyang also featured in Gabon’s Group F opener against Cameroon, coming on as a 33rd-minute substitute in a 1-0 loss. 

Mouyouma’s decision to deploy the country’s all-time leading goalscorer in the face of doubts about his physical condition sparked concerns at Olympique Marseille, who will resume their Ligue 1 campaign against Nantes on Sunday.

For the Gabon boss, however, Aubameyang’s willingness to play through pain was indicative of his commitment to the national cause.

Aubameyang hailed as ‘a Gabonese man motivated to represent his country’

“It’s important to remember that Pierre-Emerick was determined, very strong,” said Mouyouma. “He played a match and a half with this pain, but he had the desire and the will to represent his country. The player we had was a Gabonese man motivated to represent his country. 

“He’s a technical leader. He found himself in a difficult situation. His heart wanted to, his soul wanted to. But his body couldn’t. That’s the reality.”

Gabon have announced that Aubameyang will play no part in Gabon’s final match against Ivory Coast, which will take place on Wednesday night. He will now return to Marseille, who are third in the Ligue 1 table, five points shy of leaders Lens, for further treatment.

Aubameyang returns to Marseille

“Following the established medical protocol between Marseille and Gabon medical staff regarding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, clinical examinations were conducted daily,” read a statement from the Gabonese football federation.

“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.”

How far that will allay the concerns of Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi remains to be seen. The coming weeks promise to be pivotal in the club’s pursuit of a first Ligue 1 title since 2010, with Lens set to visit the Stade Vélodrome on 24 January before a trip to second-placed Paris Saint-Germain in early February. 

Aubameyang returns to Marseille as a talismanic figure, having scored 14 league goals and contributed a further five assists already this term.

‘Gabon alone decides how to use its players’

Mouyouma hit out last week following criticism of his decision to play Aubameyang – “Gabon alone decides how to use its players, whether they play for Marseille or any other club” – but struck a more conciliatory note as the Gabon captain returned to France. 

“I will stick to the official channels of the federation,” said Mouyouma ahead of Gabon’s final game at Afcon, where there is a $32m prize pool. “We are a serious federation, we have demonstrated this in the past, and we will remain so despite the turmoil, despite the rumors. We have communicated: Pierre-Emerick has left.”