Gabon coach – Aubameyang has no heart problems that caused him to miss AFCON match against Ghana

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was prevented from playing because Gabon in their African Nations Cup draw with Ghana on Friday after traces of the coronavirus were found in his system, according to head coach Patrice Neveu, who has denied earlier reports from his own federation. that the striker is suffering from heart disease.

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Aubameyang was forced to sit out in Gabon’s opening win over Comoros after testing positive for coronavirus upon arrival in Yaounde on January 6, but was prepared to come back against Ghana in their Group C meeting at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo on Friday after returning a negative test.

However, Arsenal striker was dropped from Gabon’s starting line-up for the day, with the Gabon Football Federation reporting on Twitter in the hours before the match that the Confederation of African Football had stopped him and teammates. Axel Meye and midfielder Mario Lemina out of play after testing showed “heart damage.”

Neveu managed to set the record shortly after Friday’s draw.

“In the readings, it was clear that Aubameyang had no cardiovascular problems,” Neveu told ESPN. “He [and Lemina] passed the PCR tests and the result was negative.

“Then they did a second test, checked the heart, and it looks like they both have a problem.

“Looks like the virus was still there, maybe the illness had an effect, and two hours before the game the team doctor and the CAF doctor called me and they told me not to take the test. fight them.”

Neveu also admitted that he was hesitating about whether to heed his doctor’s advice, while Aubameyang himself initially refused to accept the assessment of health officials.

“In order to protect my players, I have decided not to play them,” Neveu continued. “It was my responsibility, so we chose not to play them.

“We’ll see what happens now, but it’s my responsibility,” he added. “When we received the news that Pierre-Emerick wanted to play, he left the room with his belongings, but the CAF doctor told me so his father had to intervene.

“I know it hurt him.”

Without Aubameyang, Gabon still scooped a point from Ghana in a challenging showdown that ended in conflict as the Black Stars accused their opponents of a lack of sportsmanship as the Panthers scored a late equalizer despite Their opponent has an injured player.

The draw, coupled with Gabon’s 1–0 win over the Comoros in their opener, brought the Central Africans to the brink of the knockout stages, and despite Aubameyang, Neveu’s continued medical problems, who has only recently returned from a positive COVID diagnosis, remains hopeful that he can still have a part in the tournament.

“Maybe the disease has had an effect, but we’ll do an MRI, we’ll see what happens and we’ll do what’s necessary,” he noted.

“We’ll do what’s necessary and go for the horse racing.” We have four days [until the match against Morocco]and I hope to get them back, because we need them. “

Jim AllevinahThe 88th minute equalizer for Gabon was cancelled Andre AyewThe opener in the 18th minute for Ghana left the latter team needing a win over Comoros in their final group stage match to continue hunting for the knockout stage.

Benjamin Tetteh Red goes to Black Stars after the final whistle for aiming a punch at Aaron Boupendza in a melee fueled by Gabon’s outrageous celebrations at the end of the competition.