Gabonese football star Aaron Boupendza dies suddenly at age 28

The football world is mourning the sudden death of Gabon international Aaron Boupendza, who passed away at just 28 years old after reportedly falling from a building in Hangzhou, China.

The tragic incident has left fans and teammates in disbelief, cutting short the career of a striker who represented his nation with pride.

Boupendza, who had recently joined Chinese Super League side Zhejiang FC in January 2024, was a key figure for Gabon, earning 35 caps and starring at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon. His journey took him across four continents, with stints in:
✔ France (Pau FC)
✔ Portugal (Portimonense)
✔ Turkey (Hatayspor)
✔ Qatar & Saudi Arabia (Al-Arabi, Al-Shabab)
✔ USA (FC Cincinnati, where he scored 7 goals in 21 games)

Gabon’s football federation (Fegafoot) confirmed the heartbreaking news, stating:
“Boupendza was a great striker who left his mark at AFCON. We send our deepest condolences to his family.”

Even Gabon’s president-elect, Gen Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, honored him, calling him “a talented forward who brought honor to Gabonese football.”

While the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear, reports indicate he fell from a building in Hangzhou, where he had been playing since his January transfer from Rapid Bucharest (Romania). Authorities have yet to release further details.

Boupendza’s career was a testament to perseverance—rising from CF Mounana in Gabon to becoming an AFCON standout and a globetrotting professional. His loss is felt not just in Gabon but across the football communities he touched in Europe, Asia, and the U.S.