YAOUNDE, Cameroon ( Associated Press) — Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was diagnosed with heart wounds at the African Cup of Nations after recovering from COVID-19, which ruled him out of Friday’s game against Ghana.
The “heart wounds” were found in a check by the Confederation of African Football’s medical authorities, who examined Aubameyang after returning from a positive virus test to ensure he was well to return to action.
The Gabon federation said the diagnosis was not serious but that medical officials “didn’t want to take any risks.” Therefore, the CAF’s medical commission ruled that Aubameyang was not able to play against Ghana, the Gabon Football Federation said in a statement on Friday.
Aubameyang tested positive at an airport upon arrival in Cameroon last week and was placed in isolation. He also missed Gabon’s first game, a 1–0 win over Comoros.
The Arsenal player had since tested negative for the virus and was out of isolation two days before the Ghana game and was expected to return to the squad.
The Gabon Federation said Gabon forward Axel May and midfielder Mario Lemina were also barred from playing against Ghana because they also suffered cardiac injuries. He was also kept in isolation after testing positive for the virus.
Gabon played against Ghana without two other players due to the virus. Defenders Sidney Obisa and Lloyd Palun tested positive in the squad’s mandatory test 48 hours before their game on Wednesday. Gabon coach Patrice Neveau also tested positive, but returned a negative test before the Group C game and was allowed to take his place.
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