Aubameyang's Hat-Trick Leads Gabon to Victory Despite Red Card
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored all four goals in Gabon's thrilling 4-3 victory over The Gambia, enhancing his nation's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, despite receiving a red card late in the match.
The Panthers now sit just one point behind Group F leaders Ivory Coast, who dominated Seychelles with a 7-0 win.
Only the group winners will secure a spot at the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, while the second-placed team may still have a chance through African and intercontinental playoffs.
Knowing that Ivory Coast was likely to defeat winless Seychelles, Gabon understood the necessity of securing all three points during their match in neutral Nairobi to keep their qualification hopes alive.
In the first half, Gabon took the lead twice through former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea striker Aubameyang, only to be quickly equalized by The Gambia on both occasions.
Yankuba Minteh and Adama Sidibeh scored for the Gambians, with Sidibeh heading them ahead just two minutes into the second half.
Aubameyang completed his hat-trick with a downward header shortly after the hour mark, regaining the lead for Gabon in the 78th minute with a well-placed strike across the goal.
However, the 36-year-old striker received a yellow card for kicking and breaking a corner flag during his goal celebration and was sent off five minutes before the end for a reckless shove on Gambian defender Alagie Saine.
Aubameyang will now be suspended when Gabon concludes their campaign with a home match against Burundi on Monday at 19:00 GMT.
With a significantly inferior goal difference compared to the group leaders, the Panthers must win and hope that Ivory Coast falters at home against Kenya simultaneously to qualify for their first World Cup.
The Ivorians are on track to return to the tournament for the first time since 2014 after their commanding victory over Seychelles in neutral Mauritius.
An early penalty from Ibrahim Sangare set the reigning continental champions on their way, with goals from Emmanuel Agbadou, Oumar Diakite, and Evann Guessand before halftime.
Yan Diomande added the fifth goal after the break, followed by Simon Adingra and Franck Kessie, who completed the rout in the closing moments.
Senegal and DR Congo Continue Their Qualifying Battle
Meanwhile, Senegal 's qualifying challenge against DR Congo in Group B will go down to the final day after both teams secured victories on Friday.
Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr scored twice as the Teranga Lions triumphed with a 5-0 away win against South Sudan.
Sarr opened the scoring with a volley from an Iliman Ndiaye cross in the 30th minute, and Sadio Mane added another just after halftime from another Ndiaye assist.
Sarr netted his second by converting a loose ball, and a penalty from Nicolas Jackson extended the lead to 4-0, with Cherif Ndiaye completing the scoring in Juba in the 75th minute.
DR Congo kept their hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 win in Togo, thanks to an early goal from Cedric Bakambu.
These results leave Senegal with a two-point lead over DR Congo in Group B, along with a three-goal advantage in goal difference.
Senegal will host Mauritania, while DR Congo will face Sudan in the final round on Monday at 19:00 GMT.
Sudan 's chances for a second-placed finish ended with a goalless draw against Mauritania.