Heartbreak for Gabon and Aubamayeng but a bright future awaits…

In my latest column for FourFourTwo I take a look at co-hosts Gabon and their exciting but ultimately heartbreaking Africa Cup of Nations campaign:

After the laughter comes tears. The star of the show stood emotionless, a mix of resignation and yearning in his eyes. A stadium held its breath. Belief melted into hope.

Seydou Keita paced slowly towards the penalty spot for one last dance with the keeper, ball cradled in his arms. Was there to be one final twist? A reprieve for a country that had embraced its role as co-hosts so joyously?

Not this time. With ice in his veins Keita slotted the penalty low past Didier Ovono. The dream was over.

As the Mali’s players darted off wildly in different directions around the pitch to dance, sing and celebrate, the emotion became too much for Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. After a 1-1 draw, extra time and nine well-taken penalties, his was the only miss.

I also touch on the star of the show Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who we may be hearing a lot more about over the next few years if he continues to learn and develop as he is. Read the full article here.

African Cup of Nations 2012, African Football, Gabon, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang