Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang featured in a defeat for Gabon on Friday that has left their World Cup dream on the brink.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads Gabon out (Photo via FEGAFOOT on Facebook)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads Gabon out (Photo via FEGAFOOT on Facebook)

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put on the armband for Gabon on Friday, as they faced Angola. But it was far from an ideal performance from the side, and they ended up slipping to a 3-1 defeat.

Just three games into the group stage, Gabon are already on the verge of missing their opportunity to make the final round of World Cup qualifiers.

In the CAF qualifiers, only the top team from each of the ten groups progresses to the next stage. Those ten teams are then drawn against one of the others to play home and away, and the five winners of those play-offs make the final tournament.

As things stand, Gabon are rock bottom of their group and six points behind Egypt in the top spot. Ironically, Egypt were the only side Gabon picked up a point against in their first three fixtures.

Gabon now realistically need to win all three of their remaining fixtures and hope other results go their way.

CAF World Cup Qualifying Group F Standings as it stands via SofaScore.com
CAF World Cup Qualifying Group F Standings as it stands via SofaScore.com

Egypt only need four more points from three games to eliminate Gabon, Libya need five, and Libya play Egypt next. A win for Egypt and anything but a win for Gabon against Angola would end their qualification hopes mathematically on Monday.