As everywhere in the world, the African selections which will play the CAN (African Cup of Nations) from Sunday in Cameroon are affected by the Covid. This Thursday morning, Gabon announced that two of its executive players, captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) and Mario Lemina (Nice) had tested positive for Covid-19 upon their arrival in Cameroon.
“They have carried out a confirmatory PCR test and are currently in isolation in their hotel,” said Patrice Neveu, the French coach of Gabon, adding that the players had “no symptoms”.
So far, classic … But in recent hours, the controversy has swelled on social networks. A video, dating from a few days ago, where we see the two players, having fun and having dinner in a night establishment in Dubai, where the selection of Gabon was in the preparation stage, is circulating and has indeed been abundantly seen. Aubameyang and Lemina did not wear masks and distancing was necessarily absent.
A situation that raises questions about the health protocols put in place by certain African selections a few days before the start of the CAN.
This case will also not restore the image of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who had been excluded from the Arsenal squad and had his captain’s armband removed by his coach, Mikel Arteta, for a “disciplinary violation” in December.
Gabon enters the competition on Monday, against the Comoros. The Gabonese will then face Ghana on Friday January 14 and Morocco on Tuesday January 18.