Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rolled back the years with a brilliant four-goal performance as Gabon edged The Gambia 4-3 in an exciting 2026 World Cup Qualifier at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.
Gabon came into the match full of confidence after winning the first leg 3-2 in Libreville and once again relied on their captain, Aubameyang, who delivered in classic fashion.
The Gambia started brightly, testing Gabon’s defence early, but it was Aubameyang who opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a smart pass from Denis Bouanga. Just three minutes later, Yankuba Minteh levelled for The Gambia with a superb individual effort from a long ball by goalkeeper Gaye Baboucarr.
Both teams kept pressing, but Aubameyang restored Gabon’s lead in the 43rd minute with a calm finish from his goalkeeper’s long pass. Bouanga then forced a fine save from Gaye with a curling free-kick before The Gambia equalised again through Adama Sidibeh in first-half added time.
Two minutes into the second half, Sidibe struck again, making it 3-2 to The Gambia. Gabon responded in the 62nd minute when Aubameyang completed his hat-trick with a clever chip after a neat pass from Kanga Kuku.
In the 78th minute, substitute Essang Matouti set up Aubameyang for his fourth goal, putting Gabon 4-3 ahead. The celebrations got a bit too wild when Aubameyang broke a corner post and was booked. Minutes later, he received a second yellow card and was sent off.
The 36-year-old, named African Footballer of the Year in 2015, showed he still has his magic touch. The victory keeps Gabon second in Group F with 22 points, trailing group leaders Ivory Coast by just a point, while Kenya’s Harambee Stars sit third with 12 points and The Gambia follow with 10.
