Gabon international Aaron Boupendza has tragically passed away at the age of 28 after reportedly falling from a building in China.
The talented forward, who earned 35 caps for the Gabon national team—the Panthers—played a key role during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) held in Cameroon.
Most recently, he had signed with Chinese Super League side Zhejiang FC, based in Hangzhou, after joining from Romanian club Rapid Bucharest in January.
Boupendza began his professional career in Gabon with CF Mounana and went on to play across several countries, including stints in France, Portugal, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
The Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot) confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media, describing Boupendza as “a great striker who made his mark during the Afcon in Cameroon.”
“Fegafoot and the Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his family,” the statement added.
Gabon’s president-elect, Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, also paid tribute, calling Boupendza “a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese football.”
