Having been booked in the 80th minute following a clumsy foul, Aubameyang was shown a second yellow card in the 86th minute after another bad tackle, but Gabon held on for the remaining minutes to clinch the seven-goal thriller.
The Scorpions under coach Johnathan McKinstry, who previously handled Kenyan Premier League record champions Gor Mahia, came into the matchday nine fixture having registered back-to-back wins from previous qualifiers. Gambia defeated Kenya 3-1 before completing a double over Burundi after a 2-0 win.
For Gambia, they managed a draw and win from their September qualifiers. The first game saw the Panthers humiliate Seychelles 4-0 before securing a vital draw in their 0-0 result against the African champions Ivory Coast.
Aubameyang tested Gambia custodian Baboucarr Gaye
Knowing that victory could keep them close to table leaders Ivory Coast with one match remaining to conclude the African qualifiers, Gabon started on a positive note with former Arsenal striker Aubameyang testing Gambia custodian Baboucarr Gaye with a strike from the halfway line but it flew over the bar.
Gambia responded in the 10th minute, when striker Musa Barrow of Saudi Pro League club Al-Taawoun, whipped in a free-kick, but it was too powerful, evading his target. Two minutes later, Barrow delivered yet another free-kick into the box, but midfielder Joseph Ceesay powered in a header which went inches wide.
The Scorpions remained the most dangerous side after managing to cut off Gabon’s dominance. In the 15th minute, Ceesay, who was on the right side, delivered a low cross to Barrow, who unleashed a powerful shot that Loyce Mbaba palmed away for the first corner of the game.
After the wasted opportunity, Gabon regrouped to take the lead in the 20th minute. Denis Bouanga received a great pass in the midfield, and quickly found Aubameyang with a superb cross. The Gabonese captain controlled the ball one-on-one with Gaye before looping his shot into the net.
However, Gabon’s lead lasted for only three minutes as Gambia hit back. A long ball from keeper Gaye found Yankuba Minteh, and the Brighton winger weaved into the box, before sneaking his effort past Mbaba. That was Minteh’s third goal at Kasarani Stadium having grabbed a brace against Kenya in September.
Gabon midfielder Mario Lemina was the first player to go into Nigeria referee Joseph Ogabor’s book in the 30th minute, after he fouled Mahmudu Bajo, who was advancing towards goal. With a minute left before the half-time break, Gabon doubled their lead courtesy of Aubameyang, whose right footed shot from the centre of the box found the back of the net.
Just like the first goal Gabon conceded, Gambia equalised in three minutes after Minteh turned the provider, allowing Scottish Championship side St. Johnstone striker Adama Sidibeh beat Mbaba with a low ball for a 2-2 scoreline at the half-time break.
Gambia took the lead for the first time
Even before the two coaches could take their seats in the dugout, Gambia took the lead for the first time in the 47th minute. Ceesay received a pass on the right, sprinted to the baseline, and crossed for Sidibeh, who headed the ball powerfully, hitting the right post before strolling into the net.
After holding their lead for 15 minutes, Gambia finally caved in to allow Gabon strike again and make it 3-3. Guelor Kanga spotted Aubameyang with a looping ball, and the Marseille forward powered home a header to register a hat-trick.
After being booked for a foul on substitute Ali Sowe, Aubameyang proved the hero for Gambia after he drilled home the fourth in the 78th minute. However, he lasted the field for only eight minutes before he was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Unlike the first two goals which Gambia managed to cancel out, Gabon held to secure their seventh victory of the campaign.
