The 36-year-old former Arsenal player, who currently turns out for Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille, stole the show scoring four goals, two in either half before he was sent off for a second bookable offence. His exceptional four-goal haul came from open play, to keep Gabon’s automatic World Cup qualification hopes alive.
Aubameyang put the Panthers ahead, but Yankuba Minteh levelled when he raced on to a long ball from goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye before slotting home. Aubameyang bagged his second with almost a carbon copy of Minteh’s strike, latching on a pass from Gabon stopper Loyce Mbaba before firing in.
Adama Sidibeh equalised for Gabon on the stroke of half-time with a fine run and finish, but Aubameyang hit back for the Scorpions, completing his hat-trick with a header of his own. His fourth saw him brilliantly control a crossfield pass before rifling an unstoppable shot beyond Gaye.
‘Going to the World Cup my big motivator’
Speaking after the game, an elated Aubameyang, the desire to qualify for their first-ever World Cup has increased his motivation while playing for the national team, insisting to reach their target, they have to win their matches.
“It was a tough game, I think we had some difficulties to play our game a little bit in the first half, but I am more than happy we got what we wanted, three points, it was the most important thing, we want to go to the World Cup, and if you want to go to World Cup, you have to win the wins,” said Aubameyang.
“I am very motivated, when you have a chance to go the World Cup, I think you have to be more than motivated, and we have a very good group, and I am very happy to be part of this group, and now that I am 36, I just want to enjoy football, playing football and give some enjoyment to the people.”
He added: “The most important thing when you are at my age is to keep working, and try to be fit, and I am fit at the moment, and yeah, I had some good assists from my guys, I was clinical, so I am happy with four attempts, and four goals.
“It was important for me to show the way, because the last game against Ivory Coast, I think the whole team played very well, but I was under my performance, and I was not happy with that, so against Gambia, I wanted to show the way, and I did it.”
‘Aubameyang is world class player’
Gabon coach Johnathan McKinstry conceded defeat, praising Aubameyang for his performance and goals.
“It is no doubt that Aubameyang is a world class player and he has shown that over the last 15 years, but it was another good day for him, look the last time we played he scored one goal, and we locked him down in that game, but again we didn’t like to lose, like we did,” explained McKinstry.
“Look, we did a lot of things really good, but I think probably the big difference in the game was, we have got really some quality at the back, but look they are young ones, they 19 years-old, 21, to 22 years-old, we have only two experienced defenders out there, and one of them was suspended.”
He concluded: “But all the three young defenders are going to be top players, it was the first time they played together, and against a top striker like Aubameyang, he was able to find those little gaps against a defence that hadn’t played together before, that is not an excuse but that is how the game is.”
Aubameyang will automatically miss Gabon’s final qualifier against Burundi at Franceville Stadium on Tuesday.
