African World Cup qualifying: Aubameyang scores four and sees red as Gabon stay in hunt

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang produced a sensational performance in African World Cup qualifying on Friday, scoring four goals and then being sent off as Gabon edged the Gambia 4-3 to stay in contention for their first-ever appearance at the global finals.

The 35-year-old striker twice put Gabon ahead before netting two more late on, but received two yellow cards in quick succession and was dismissed in the 86th minute. The victory leaves Gabon one point behind Group F leaders Ivory Coast, who thrashed Seychelles 7-0 with seven different scorers.

In Group C, surprise leaders Benin took control of the so-called “group of death” after a 1-0 win in Rwanda. Aiyegun Tosin’s 80th-minute strike gave them a two-point cushion over South Africa, who were held 0-0 by Zimbabwe in a match that saw both teams reduced to 10 men. Nigeria beat Lesotho 2-1 to close the gap to Benin to three points ahead of Tuesday’s showdown with the leaders.

Elsewhere, Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr were among the scorers as Senegal beat South Sudan 5-0 to remain top of Group B, while Cedric Bakambu’s early strike gave DR Congo a 1-0 victory in Togo. Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia have already sealed qualification.

(Source: AFP)