The Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot) reported on Wednesday that Aaron Boupendza, a 28-year-old Gabonese international football player, had died after falling from the eleventh floor of a building in China.
“While playing for Zhejiang FC in China, the Gabonese international died after falling from the eleventh floor of his building,” Fegafoot announced in a statement posted on social media site X (previously Twitter).
As a center-forward, Boupendza had a successful career in several leagues and nations. His performance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, when Gabon advanced to the round of 16 before losing to Burkina Faso, was exceptional.
The federation stated, “Boupendza, who is 28 years old, leaves us with the memory of a great striker who left his mark on the CAN.” “Fegafoot’s biological family has our deepest sympathies, as does the entire Gabonese football family.”
“It is with immense sadness that I learn of the tragic death of Aaron Boupendza, a talented center-forward who brought honor to Gabonese football,” wrote President-elect Brice Oligui Nguema on X, expressing his grief over the loss.
Gabon 24, a national broadcaster, reported that the exact circumstances surrounding the fall remain unclear. China is now conducting an official inquiry to find out what caused the event.
Born in Moanda, Gabon, Boupendza began his European football journey in 2016 with Bordeaux in France. He spent several seasons on loan with other French clubs before making a breakthrough move to Hatayspor in Turkey in 2020, where he became the Super Lig’s top scorer in the 2020–21 season.
He later played for Al Arabi in Qatar, winning the Qatar FA Cup, followed by a stint in Saudi Arabia with Al Shabab.
Boupendza also had spells with FC Cincinnati in the United States and Rapid Bucharest in Romania before joining Zhejiang FC in the Chinese Super League earlier this year.
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