Gabonese Footballer Aaron Boupendza Dies After Tragic Fall in China

Gabonese striker Aaron Boupendza has died at age 28 after falling from the 11th floor of a building in China.

The Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot) confirmed the news on Wednesday through a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“The Gabonese international died following a fall from the 11th floor of his building in China, where he was playing for Zhejiang FC,” the statement said.

Fegafoot described him as “a great striker who left his mark on the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.”

Boupendza was a key player for Gabon_ during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)_, held in early 2022 in Cameroon. He scored important goals that helped Gabon reach the Round of 16. The team was later knocked out by Burkina Faso_ in a penalty shootout.

“Fegafoot and the entire Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his biological family,” the statement added.

Tributes Pour In as Investigation Begins

Gabon’s President-elect Brice Oligui Nguema_ also shared his grief online.

“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 on X.

According to Gabon 24, a national broadcaster, the circumstances of the fall are still unknown. Authorities in China have begun an investigation to find out what really happened.

Boupendza had just joined Zhejiang FC_ in January 2025. The Chinese Super League team confirmed he had settled in well and was preparing for the new season.

A Promising Career Cut Short

Boupendza was born in Moanda_, Gabon in 1996. He began his professional career in 2016 with FC Girondins de Bordeaux_ in France. Though he had limited appearances there, he spent several seasons on loan at other French clubs.

He gained international attention in 2020 when he joined Hatayspor_, a Turkish team. Boupendza finished the 2020–21 season as the Turkish Süper Lig_’s top scorer, netting 22 goals in 36 appearances.

Later, he played for Al Arabi_ in Qatar, where he won the Qatar FA Cup. He also played with Al Shabab_ in Saudi Arabia.

In 2023, he signed with FC Cincinnati_ in the Major League Soccer (MLS)_. The following year, he briefly joined Rapid Bucharest_ in Romania before moving to China.

Boupendza earned over 30 caps for the Gabon national team_ and scored 6 goals in international competitions.

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