Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored and assisted against Angola on Monday to keep Gabon’s fading World Cup qualification hopes alive.

With Gabon’s slim chances of making the next stage of World Cup qualification hanging by a thread, Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang produced a masterclass second-half performance to keep them alive.

Only one team from each CAF group makes the play-off round of World Cup qualification, and Gabon absolutely need three wins from their final three games to even have a small possibility of catching Egypt.

First up, they hosted Angola on Monday, and Aubameyang took centre stage for the match.

With the scores tied at 0-0 in the 74th minute, Aubameyang picked up the ball on the left of the box and fired in a weak-foot finish at the near post.

10 minutes later, Aubameyang received the ball on the left touchline and beat two players to get into the box. He sent a cross in for Alex Moucketou-Moussounda to head into the net for 2-0.

Aubameyang really should have had another assist in the 90th minute, as he played a lovely through ball to put Louis Ameka Autchanga in on the goalkeeper. But the substitute delayed for too long and the goalkeeper smothered his eventual shot.

You can see the goal, the assist, and the big chance created by Aubameyang here from 0:56.

Gabon are still in a far-from-ideal position in their group. They have to hope Angola beat Egypt, and then win their final two games against Libya and Egypt as well to draw level on 10 points at the top of the group.

Even then, they need a goal difference swing of six. So even if Egypt lose 1-0 to Angola and Gabon beat Libya 1-0, they’ll need to win by two against Egypt on the final day. It’s a big ask, but it’s not impossible yet – thanks to Aubameyang.