Gabon

Former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined Al-Qadsiah, the promoted Saudi Pro League side said on Thursday.

The international break was an intriguing one for Africa's team as they hunt for 2026 World Cup qualification, with Nigeria doing themselves no favours, Morocco doing the most, and a Gabon return for Aubameyang.

African champions Ivory Coast and World Cup semifinalists Morocco both won important points in World Cup qualification on Friday but Nigeria were held at home by South Africa and are still to win a match in the 2026 preliminaries.

Denis Bouanga slots past the goalkeeper to put LAFC up 1-0 vs. FC Dallas.

LAFC has signed prolific goalscorer Dénis Bouanga to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was Gabon's ambassador to the world, but it was for what he did in European football, not African football.

Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has retired from international soccer, the Gabon federation said Wednesday.

Burkina Faso held off a gallant rearguard action from 10-man Gabon to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals with a 7-6 penalty victory.

Morocco twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Gabon in Yaounde on Tuesday and finish top of Group C at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Gabon are looking to reach the knockout stages of the AFCON for the first time in a decade, and are using Aubameyang's absence as motivation.