Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has shared the unpleasant welcome given to the Gabon national team ahead of their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Gambia.
Patrice Neveu’s men are scheduled to play the West African country in Bakau on Monday, and they arrived at the Banjul International Airport late on Sunday night.
Upon arrival, the Panthers were delayed at the airport with reports indicating their passports were seized despite providing their coronavirus results to the immigration officers for checks.
Around 4 am on Monday, Gabon were still at the airport and Aubameyang did not hesitate to share the poor reception given to them with players and some coaching crew sleeping on the floor.
👏🏽👏🏽record pic.twitter.com/ycUGbPa6Cf
— Aubameyang P-E (@Aubameyang7) November 16, 2020
They finally left Banjul airport almost an hour after the Arsenal captain shared the pictures of their situation.
Aubameyang, in his reaction, has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take up its responsibility when it comes to continental games, and he also noted that the reception will not lower the Panthers’ morale ahead of Monday’s match.
“This will not demotivate us but people need to know and especially that CAF takes these responsibilities. In 2020, we want Africa to grow and this is not how we’re going to get there!!,” Aubameyang tweeted.
Three days ago, Gabon defeated Gambia 2-1 in their Group D outing, thanks to goals from Denis Bouanga and Aubameyang. They sit at the top of their group with seven points after three matches while the Gambia is second with four points.
The Panthers are on course to return to Afcon after missing the 2019 edition in Egypt.
