AFCON: Arsenal Striker Aubameyang Misses Ghana Match Due To Heart Lesions
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed Gabon’s Africa Cup of Nations draw with Ghana on Friday after scans revealed ‘heart lesions’ following a spell of COVID.
However, it is understood Arsenal’s doctors have spoken to Gabon’s medics who have said the situation is not serious and he is feeling well.
A heart lesion is heart tissue that has been traumatised causing discontinuity of tissue or loss of function of a part. If the lesion is located with the septum (wall separating heart chambers) could cause discontinuity of electrical impulses resulting in arrhythmia (a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm).
Aubameyang tested positive on arrival in Cameroon last week.
He had a scan as a precautionary measure before being allowed to return.
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Ex-Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina, now at Nice, and forward Axel Meye have been ruled out for the same reason.
The Gabon Football Federation suggested that all three absences were precautionary. The Gabon Football Federation tweeted:
Medical examinations show cardiac lesions and CAF did not want to take any risks.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Ghana, Gabon head coach Patrice Neveu said he had been told only two hours before kick-off in a phone call from CAF that the three players would be unavailable.
He described the scan results as a “small problem” and said he took the decision to protect his players and not use them.
He added that he hoped they will be available for Gabon’s final group game against Morocco on Tuesday – but said the players’ health is the most important thing.
Aubameyang, who also tested positive for COVID in August 2021 while on Arsenal duty, was dropped and stripped of the club captaincy last month for disciplinary reasons.
More: BBC
