By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit:Brandon Koodish.
The Gabon’s football federation (Fegafoot) confirmed the passing of striker Aaron Boupendza, who died on Wednesday at the age of 28.
“Boupendza is remembered as a great striker who made his mark during the [Afcon] in Cameroon,” the statement said.
“Fegafoot and the Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his family.”
Reuters news agency reported that he died from falling from an 11th floor window while playing in China for Zhejiang FC.
Boupendza featured for his country at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Cameroon and won a total of 35 caps for the Panthers.
He had joined Chinese club Zhejiang FC, based in the city of Hangzhou, from Romanian outfit Rapid Bucharest in January.
Boupendza began his career in his homeland with CF Mounana and went on to have spells with sides in France, Portugal, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Gabon’s president-elect Gen Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema was among those to pay tribute to Boupendza, describing him as “a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese football”.