Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang suffers injury and will miss the first match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations! | OneFootball

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Gabon's Africa Cup of Nations campaign has been dealt a severe early blow with the news that their captain and talisman, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has been ruled out of the tournament's crucial opening fixture. The Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot) confirmed the striker's absence for the high-stakes clash against regional rivals Cameroon on December 24th.

The timing of the announcement, a mere six days before the continental championship begins in Morocco, casts a shadow over Les Panthères' preparations. The injury occurred during Aubameyang's final club appearance for Olympique de Marseille against Monaco, with post-match pain prompting immediate concern.

In a coordinated decision, the medical teams of both club and country agreed that the 35-year-old forward should remain in Marseille for treatment rather than immediately joining the national squad. This approach prioritizes a careful rehabilitation process with his familiar club doctors.

A joint statement from the medical staffs outlined a cautious timeline: "Following consultation, it was decided the player would undergo his treatment in Marseille. He is officially unavailable for the match against Cameroon. His potential participation in the second group match against Mozambique on December 28th will be subject to ongoing clinical and imaging assessments."

His absence leaves a significant void in Gabon's attack for their toughest Group C match, placing immense pressure on the rest of the squad to secure a positive start without their all-time leading scorer and most experienced figure.