Gabonese international striker Aaron Boupendza died on Wednesday at the age of 28 when he fell from the 11th floor of a building in China, according to the national football federation (Fegafoot).
“The Gabonese international died following a fall from the 11th floor of his building in China, where he was playing for Zhejiang FC,” the federation said in a statement on X.
“Aged 28, Boupendza leaves us with the memory of a great striker who left his mark on the CAN (Africa Cup of Nations) in Cameroon.”
In 2022, the Panthers were eliminated in the last 16 of the AFCON by Burkina Faso.
“Fegafoot and the entire Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his biological family,” the federation added.
In a statement on X, Gabonese president-elect Brice Oligui Nguema also stated his condolences.
“It is with immense sadness that I learn of the tragic death of Aaron Boupendza, a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese football,” he posted.
According to Gabon 24, “the exact circumstances of this tragedy are still unclear,” and an inquiry is underway to unravel the truth.
Born in Moanda, Boupendza joined French club Bordeaux in 2016, spending most of his time on loan at different French clubs.
In 2020, he joined Turkish club Hatayspor and was the Super Lig’s top scorer in 2020-21 before going on to Al Arabi, where he won the Qatar FA Cup, and Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.
Prior to his January move to China, he played for FC Cincinnati in the United States and Rapid Bucharest in Romania.
