Gabon Striker Boupendza Dies after 11th Floor Fall
Gabon international striker Aaron Boupendza has died at 28 following a fall from the 11th floor of a building in China, the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) said on Wednesday. Boupendza, who joined Zhejiang FC earlier this year, was in good form with four goals in six matches. “At 28, Boupendza is remembered as a great striker who left a lasting impression at the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon (in 2022),” FEGAFOOT said in a statement. “Trained at CF Mounana and Bordeaux in France, the Gabonese striker joined the Chinese league after a brief spell in Romania. “FEGAFOOT and the great family of Gabonese soccer offer his biological family their sincere condolences in this difficult time.” Authorities in China have launched an investigation to find out whether the fall was an accident, suicide, or the result of foul play, media reports in Romania said. There was no official confirmation for the cause of death. Born in Moanda, Boupendza joined French side Bordeaux in 2016, spending most of his time on loan at other French clubs. In 2020 he signed for Turkish side Hatayspor, and was top scorer in the Super Lig in 2020-21 before moving on to Al Arabi, with whom he won the Qatar FA Cup, and Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League. Spells in the USA with FC Cincinnati and Romania’s Rapid Bucharest followed ahead of his move to China in January. “It is with great sadness that I learn of the tragic death of Aaron Boupendza, a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese soccer,” Gabon President Brice Oligui Nguema said. “I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends. May God bless his soul.”