Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s four-goal heroics and red card highlighted a thrilling day in African World Cup qualifiers as Senegal and Ivory Coast closed in on 2026 qualification.
Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored four times and was later sent off as his side edged the Gambia 4-3 in Nairobi on Friday, keeping their 2026 World Cup hopes alive.
Aubameyang’s dramatic performance saw the Marseille striker net twice in each half before receiving two yellow cards in the closing minutes. The result left Gabon one point behind Group F leaders Ivory Coast, who cruised to a 7-0 victory over the Seychelles.
Seven different Ivorians were on target, starting with Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare in the seventh minute and ending with substitute Franck Kessie in the final minute. Seychelles, ranked 159 places below the Elephants, have now conceded 46 goals and lost all nine qualifiers.
Ivory Coast lead with 23 points, while Gabon sit on 22 ahead of the final round, when both sides play at home — the Ivorians facing Kenya and the Gabonese hosting Burundi.
In Group B, Senegal maintained a two-point advantage over the Democratic Republic of Congo after both secured away wins. Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr scored twice and Sadio Mane also found the net as Senegal thrashed South Sudan 5-0.
Meanwhile, veteran striker Cedric Bakambu’s early goal handed DR Congo a narrow 1-0 victory in Togo. Senegal top the group with 21 points, ahead of DR Congo on 19, with both sides set for decisive home fixtures next week.