Aubameyang used social media to highlight their plight after arriving at Banjul airport on Sunday, ahead of Monday’s Group D clash in the Gambian capital.

The Gabon delegation were told they were not allowed to leave the airport because of an administrative problem.

They were forced to sleep on the floor before being allowed to leave in the morning after government intervention.

No reason was given for not allowing the team to exit the airport and head to their hotel after arrival.

Even by previous standards of gamesmanship in African football, this was unusual.

Gabon’s football federation posted pictures of the incident of its Facebook page but without any comment.

“Nice job CAF, it’s as if we were back in the 1990s,” Aubameyang posted on Twitter in a reference to previous foibles blamed on the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

“This will not demotivate us, but people need to know and CAF need to take responsibility.

“(It is) 2020 and we want Africa to grow, but this is not how we will get there,” the Arsenal striker added later.

Gabon are top of the group standings, three points ahead of Gambia, who are seeking to reach the Nations Cup finals for the first time.

The top two teams in the group —- which also includes Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) — advance to the finals in Cameroon in early 2022.

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Aubameyang said his change of heart came after manager Mikel Arteta revitalised the English Premier League club and told him that he could leave behind a legacy at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gabonese, Arsenal’s top goalscorer over the last two seasons, signed a new three-year deal last week.

It ended speculation over a potential exit as he entered the final year of his previous contract at the north London club.

Arteta made an instant impact at Arsenal following his appointment last season with the club winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Europa League.

Aubameyang said his belief in the Spaniard’s philosophy had helped change his mind.

“Two things persuaded me to stay,” Aubameyang said. “The first thing was Mikel Arteta, because since he came in he brings a lot of positivity and a new philosophy for us.

“I think that was important because it matched my game and I feel that I can improve with him. I think this was the key factor and as well, the love that I receive from the fans and the whole club.”

Aubameyang’s decision to stay with Arsenal was a major boost to Arteta, who said after winning the FA Cup that he wanted to build the squad around the Gabon striker.

Arteta had admitted earlier this month that he feared losing his captain.

This was because top European clubs such as FC Barcelona and AC Milan were reported to have registered an interest in the 31-year-old, who said he considered his options.

“I was thinking about (leaving Arsenal), to tell you the truth, because I had good opportunities as well,” Aubameyang added.

“…(Arteta said) ‘Of course you can leave and go for trophies in big clubs as well. But I think you can create a legacy here in this great club’.”

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