Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rolled back the years with a brilliant four-goal performance as Gabon edged The Gambia 4-3 in an exciting 2026 World Cup Qualifier at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

Played under perfect conditions, the match offered fans a thrilling display of end-to-end football, with both sides attacking relentlessly from start to finish.

Gabon came into the match full of confidence after winning the first leg 3-2 in Libreville and once again relied on their captain, Aubameyang, who delivered in classic fashion.

The Gambia started brightly, testing Gabon’s defence early, but it was Aubameyang who opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a smart pass from Denis Bouanga. Just three minutes later, Yankuba Minteh levelled for The Gambia with a superb individual effort from a long ball by goalkeeper Gaye Baboucarr.

Both teams kept pressing, but Aubameyang restored Gabon’s lead in the 43rd minute with a calm finish from his goalkeeper’s long pass. Bouanga then forced a fine save from Gaye with a curling free-kick before The Gambia equalised again through Adama Sidibeh in first-half added time.

Two minutes into the second half, Sidibeh struck again, making it 3-2 to The Gambia. Gabon responded in the 62nd minute when Aubameyang completed his hat-trick with a clever chip after a neat pass from Kanga Kuku.

In the 78th minute, substitute Essang Matouti set up Aubameyang for his fourth goal, putting Gabon 4-3 ahead. The celebration got a bit too wild when Aubameyang broke a corner post and was booked. Minutes later, he received a second yellow card and was sent off.

The 36-year-old, named African Footballer of the Year in 2015, showed he still has his magic touch. His goals moved Gabon to second in Group F with 22 points, while The Gambia remain third with 10. Kenya’s Harambee Stars sit just above them with 12 points.

It was a night full of goals, drama and the enduring brilliance of a footballer who refuses to fade.