CAN 2022: Gabonese Aubameyang and Lemina positive for Covid-19
Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP
Text by: Pierre Fesnien Follow
2 min
The stars of the Gabonese team Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina are positive for Covid-19 in an antigen test this Thursday.
A few days earlier, a video of the two men in the evening in Dubai had sparked a lot of comments given the health context.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina tested positive for Covid-19 upon their arrival in Cameroon on Thursday, announced to their coach Patrice Neveu. The two players are awaiting the result of an RT-PCR test four days before the Panthers' first match at the African Cup of Nations football. Aubameyang, Arsenal striker, and Lemina, Nice midfielder "
have carried out a confirmation PCR test and are currently in isolation in their hotel
", said the coach, adding that the players had "
no symptoms
".
This news comes at a very bad time when the Panthers have to face the Comoros on Monday January 10 for their opening match of the competition.
Gabon will therefore most likely have to start the tournament without its two star players, while Patrice Neveu's men need to be full of confidence after losing heavily 3-0 in a preparation match against Burkina Faso in Dubai. and a sad 1-1 against Mauritania.
Evening in Dubai and showdown over premiums
The contamination of Aubameyang and Lemina also comes after a controversy arose during the training course for the Panthers in the Emirate.
A video filmed during a party in Dubai circulated on social networks and generated many comments.
We see the two players offering themselves a moment of relaxation without particular respect for barrier gestures a few hours before their departure for Cameroon.
Great preparation of the Gabonese in Dubai who obviously respect the barrier gestures not to create a cluster 4 days before the start of the CAN.
pic.twitter.com/WTHgbrs0KK https://t.co/g5QIgttzdB
- Hanif Ben Berkane (@HanifBerkane) January 5, 2022
To all this were also added problems of recurring bonus payments in Gabonese selection.
The Panthers refused to take off for Cameroon on Wednesday until match bonuses were paid.
After several hours of arm wrestling, Aubameyang finally obtained the assurance that the payment of these bonuses would take place before their first match against the Comoros and they agreed to leave Dubai.
In addition to these internal tensions, Gabon, which returns to CAN after a 2019 edition for which it was not qualified, will therefore also have to potentially do without its two best players in its first match.
We have seen much more serene beginnings.
►Also read: CAN 2022: schedule and results of the Africa Cup
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Brief Africa football
CAN 2022
CAN 2021
Gabon
Soccer