Aubameyang among trio omitted from Gabon match due to heart problems

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mario Lemina, and Axel Meye were left out of Gabon's Africa Cup of Nations group-stage meeting with Ghana on Friday due to heart problems.

"According to the CAF (Confederation of African Football) medical commission, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Axel Meye, and Mario Lemina did not take part against Ghana after the trio recently exited COVID-19 protocols," the Gabonese Football Federation tweeted. "Medical examinations on the three players revealed heart issues, and the CAF did not want to take any risks."

Arsenal striker Aubameyang and Nice midfielder Lemina, along with assistant coach Anicet Yala, tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Cameroon on Jan. 6.

Gabon drew 1-1 with Ghana in spite of its notable absentees thanks to Jim Allevinah's 88th-minute equalizer. It was Gabon's second match at the Africa Cup of Nations after its 1-0 win against Comoros on Monday.

Aubameyang, Lemina, and Meye have yet to appear at the tournament.

Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies has also suffered heart issues following a recent bout of COVID-19. "We detected signs of mild myocarditis, i.e. an inflammation of the heart muscle," Bayern head coach Julian Nagelsmann explained Friday, before adding that it will "take some time" for the Canadian star to return to match fitness.