Gabon Winger Ruled Out of Burundi Clash

Gabon national team has been dealt a big blow ahead of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi as star attacker Denis Bouanga is ruled out with a broken wrist injury that could keep him out for months.

It leaves a threadbare squad even more depleted and coach Jose Antonio Camacho scratching his head about a possible replacement for arguably the best player in his pick-up selection.

“It’s an injury that he got during training with his club last week. He cannot carry it to our match against on Saturday and proposed friendly against Zambia.”

“He has had a scan and the team doctor has told me he could be out for a while‚” Camacho said of the Nimes winger’s condition.

Bounga scored nine goals and provided four assists for his former club FC Lorient, that scored the fourth most goals in French Ligue 2 play. Camacho spoke highly of the diminutive winger, lauding his impact for the national team.

“He is an important member of our squad because he took an active part in most of our recent matches but this injury has come at the wrong time,” he said.

Bouanga’s absence could give coach Camacho the opportunity to start Cedric Ondo in the midfield. Ondo, who turns out for CF Mounana, has already reported to camp.

However, Gabon camp morale has been boosted with the arrival of Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Emiliano François Aubameyang who arrived on Tuesday night but skipped the morning training session on Wednesday to shake off the jet lag.

Burundi are leaders of Group C with three points following an opening day 3-0 thrashing of South Sudan, while Gabon are second from bottom with no point after losing to Mali 2-0.