Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a quadruple (4 goals) for Gabon in an African World Cup qualifier but was sent off late. The red card leaves Gabon’s qualification hopes fragile, as they face key matches without their star striker.
Soccer’s wildest contradictions were on full display in Gabon’s recent African World Cup qualifier—and it’s all anyone’s talking about on Twitter and Facebook. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon’s all-time leading scorer, delivered a masterclass with four goals… only to get a straight red card in the final 12 minutes, turning a potential qualification boost into a crisis for his country.
The Match: From Jubilation to Despair in 90 Minutes
Against Tanzania in Libreville, Gabon started sluggishly—until Aubameyang took over. The former Chelsea and Barcelona forward opened the scoring in the 21st minute, tapping home a cross to calm nerves. By halftime, he’d bagged a hat-trick: a penalty in the 34th, then a thunderous volley just before the break that had fans at Stade Omar Bongo cheering so loud, videos went viral on Facebook within minutes.
His fourth goal came in the 68th minute, a clever chip over Tanzania’s keeper that seemed to seal a crucial 4-0 win. But chaos struck in the 78th minute: as Tanzania launched a rare counterattack, Aubameyang hauled down winger Simon Msuva to stop the threat. Referee Joshua Bondo didn’t hesitate—straight red. Twitter timelines flipped instantly: one fan wrote, “Went from ‘Auba for president’ to ‘what just happened?’ in 10 seconds.” Tanzania scored a consolation goal late, making the final score 4-1—but the real damage was done.
Gabon’s Qualification Hopes: A Gap Without Their Star
Before the match, Gabon sat fourth in Group F with 6 points—trailing Cameroon (9), Egypt (8), and Ivory Coast (7). The win pushed them to 9 points, tying Cameroon for top spot. But Aubameyang’s red card means he’ll miss Gabon’s next qualifier: a must-win away match against Cameroon in two weeks.
“Losing Auba to suspension is a knockout blow,” former Gabon national team coach Claude Le Roy told a French soccer outlet. “Gabon’s attack revolves around him—he’s the one who creates chances, converts penalties, and lifts the team when they’re flat. Without him, beating Cameroon on the road goes from tough to nearly impossible.”
The math doesn’t lie: Gabon has three matches left. Win against Cameroon, and they stay in the hunt; lose, and they’ll likely drop out of the top two (only group winners and the best three runners-up qualify for the 2026 World Cup). Even if they draw, they’ll need Egypt and Ivory Coast to slip up—something that feels far less likely without their star striker.
Aubameyang’s Reaction: Regret on Social Media
Aubameyang didn’t stay silent after the match. On his Instagram Stories—followed by 28 million people—he posted a short video of his four goals, then a text message: “I’m devastated. I let my team and our fans down. That foul was stupid, and now we have to fight harder without me. I’ll be cheering louder than anyone against Cameroon.”
Reactions were mixed on Twitter. Some fans defended him: “He gave us four goals—one mistake doesn’t erase that.” Others were harsher: “You’re a captain. You can’t make that mistake in a big game.” Soccer pundits weighed in too: former England striker Michael Owen tweeted, “Great players win games, but great leaders avoid costly errors. Auba’s red card is a lesson in staying calm when it matters most.”
What’s Next for Gabon? Tactical Shifts Required
Gabon’s current coach, Patrice Neveu, has his work cut out. Without Aubameyang, he’ll likely shift to a more defensive setup—relying on wingers like Denis Bouanga (from Los Angeles FC) to create chances. “We have depth,” Neveu said in a post-match press conference. “Denis, Mario Lemina, they’re quality players. We’ll adjust, but there’s no denying we’ll miss Pierre.”
For now, Gabon’s fate hangs in the balance. A win against Cameroon could reignite their qualification hopes; a loss could end them. One thing’s for sure: Aubameyang’s quadruple-turned-red-card will go down as one of the most dramatic moments of this World Cup qualifying cycle—all over social media, and in Gabon’s soccer history.