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Aaron Boupendza

Updated: Wikipedia source

Aaron Boupendza

Aaron Salem Boupendza Pozzi (7 August 1996 – 16 April 2025) was a Gabonese professional footballer who played as a forward. Trained at CF Mounana, where he won the Gabon Championnat National D1 in 2015–16, he signed for Bordeaux in 2016. He played only for the reserve team and out on loan, finishing as top scorer of the Championnat National for Pau in 2017–18. In 2020 he signed for Hatayspor, and was top scorer in the Süper Lig in 2020–21. He then had one season each with Al Arabi of the Qatar Stars League and Al Shabab of the Saudi Pro League, winning a Qatar FA Cup with the former in 2022. He won the Supporters' Shield with FC Cincinnati in 2023, and had brief spells in Romania with Rapid București in Romania and Zhejiang FC in China before his death at age 28. A full international for the Gabon national team since 2016, Boupendza represented the country at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Infobox

2018
→ Gazélec Ajaccio (loan)
2019
→ Tours B (loan)
2025
Zhejiang FC
Full name
Aaron Salem Boupendza Pozzi
Date of birth
(1996-08-07)7 August 1996
Place of birth
Moanda, Gabon
Date of death
16 April 2025(2025-04-16) (aged 28)
Place of death
Hangzhou, China
Height
1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position
Forward
0000–2015
CF Mounana
Years
Team
2015–2016
CF Mounana
2016–2017
Bordeaux B
2017–2020
Bordeaux
2017–2018
→ Pau B (loan)
2018–2019
→ Tours (loan)
2019–2020
→ Feirense (loan)
2020–2021
Hatayspor
2021–2022
Al-Arabi
2022–2023
Al-Shabab
2023–2024
FC Cincinnati
2024–2025
Rapid București
2016–2023
Gabon

Tables

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[32] · Career statistics › Club
Division
Division
Club
Division
Season
Apps
League
Goals
League
Apps
League
Goals
National cup
Apps
National cup
Goals
League cup
Apps
League cup
Goals
Continental
Apps
Continental
Goals
Other
Apps
Other
Goals
CF Mounana
CF Mounana
Club
CF Mounana
Season
2015–16
League
Gabon Championnat National D1
League
6
League
6
National cup
—
National cup
—
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
6
Continental
6
Bordeaux B
Bordeaux B
Club
Bordeaux B
Season
2016–17
League
CFA 2
League
20
League
8
National cup
—
National cup
—
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
20
Continental
8
Pau (loan)
Pau (loan)
Club
Pau (loan)
Season
2017–18
League
Championnat National
League
21
League
15
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
—
Continental
21
Other
15
Pau B (loan)
Pau B (loan)
Club
Pau B (loan)
Season
2017–18
League
Championnat National 3
League
3
League
2
National cup
—
National cup
—
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
3
Continental
2
Gazélec Ajaccio (loan)
Gazélec Ajaccio (loan)
Club
Gazélec Ajaccio (loan)
Season
2018–19
League
Ligue 2
League
10
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
1
League cup
0
Continental
—
Continental
—
Other
11
Other
0
Tours (loan)
Tours (loan)
Club
Tours (loan)
Season
2018–19
League
Championnat National
League
12
League
3
National cup
1
National cup
1
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
—
Continental
13
Other
4
Tours B (loan)
Tours B (loan)
Club
Tours B (loan)
Season
2018–19
League
Championnat National 3
League
1
League
0
National cup
—
National cup
—
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
1
Continental
0
Feirense (loan)
Feirense (loan)
Club
Feirense (loan)
Season
2019–20
League
Primeira Liga
League
9
League
0
National cup
2
National cup
0
League cup
1
League cup
0
Continental
—
Continental
—
Other
12
Other
0
Hatayspor
Hatayspor
Club
Hatayspor
Season
2020–21
League
Süper Lig
League
36
League
22
National cup
2
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
—
Continental
38
Other
22
Al-Arabi
Al-Arabi
Club
Al-Arabi
Season
2021–22
League
Qatar Stars League
League
16
League
8
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
3
League cup
1
Continental
—
Continental
3
Other
1
Other
22
Total
10
2022–23
2022–23
Club
2022–23
Season
Qatar Stars League
League
1
League
0
League
1
National cup
0
National cup
—
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
2
Continental
0
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
17
League
8
League
1
League
0
National cup
3
National cup
1
League cup
—
League cup
3
Continental
1
Continental
24
Other
10
Al Shabab
Al Shabab
Club
Al Shabab
Season
2022–23
League
Saudi Pro League
League
17
League
11
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
0
Continental
0
Continental
—
Other
17
Other
11
FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati
Club
FC Cincinnati
Season
2023
League
MLS
League
10
League
5
National cup
1
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
7
Continental
1
Other
18
Other
6
2024
2024
Club
2024
Season
MLS
League
14
League
2
League
—
National cup
—
National cup
3
League cup
1
League cup
—
Continental
17
Continental
3
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
24
League
7
League
1
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
3
League cup
1
Continental
7
Continental
1
Other
35
Other
9
Rapid București
Rapid București
Club
Rapid București
Season
2024–25
League
Liga I
League
9
League
3
National cup
2
National cup
2
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
—
Continental
11
Other
5
Zhejiang FC
Zhejiang FC
Club
Zhejiang FC
Season
2025
League
Chinese Super League
League
6
League
4
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
—
Continental
6
Other
4
Career total
Career total
Club
Career total
Season
191
League
89
League
9
League
3
National cup
5
National cup
1
League cup
3
League cup
1
Continental
10
Continental
2
Other
218
Other
96
Club
Season
League
National cup
League cup
Continental
Other
Total
Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
CF Mounana
2015–16
Gabon Championnat National D1
6
6
—
—
—
—
6
6
Bordeaux B
2016–17
CFA 2
20
8
—
—
—
—
20
8
Pau (loan)
2017–18
Championnat National
21
15
0
0
—
—
—
21
15
Pau B (loan)
2017–18
Championnat National 3
3
2
—
—
—
—
3
2
Gazélec Ajaccio (loan)
2018–19
Ligue 2
10
0
0
0
1
0
—
—
11
0
Tours (loan)
2018–19
Championnat National
12
3
1
1
—
—
—
13
4
Tours B (loan)
2018–19
Championnat National 3
1
0
—
—
—
—
1
0
Feirense (loan)
2019–20
Primeira Liga
9
0
2
0
1
0
—
—
12
0
Hatayspor
2020–21
Süper Lig
36
22
2
0
—
—
—
38
22
Al-Arabi
2021–22
Qatar Stars League
16
8
0
0
3
1
—
3
1
22
10
2022–23
Qatar Stars League
1
0
1
0
—
—
—
2
0
Total
17
8
1
0
3
1
—
3
1
24
10
Al Shabab
2022–23
Saudi Pro League
17
11
0
0
—
0
0
—
17
11
FC Cincinnati
2023
MLS
10
5
1
0
—
—
7
1
18
6
2024
MLS
14
2
—
—
3
1
—
17
3
Total
24
7
1
0
0
0
3
1
7
1
35
9
Rapid București
2024–25
Liga I
9
3
2
2
—
—
—
11
5
Zhejiang FC
2025
Chinese Super League
6
4
0
0
—
—
—
6
4
Career total
191
89
9
3
5
1
3
1
10
2
218
96
Appearances and goals by national team and year[33] · Career statistics › International
Gabon
Gabon
National team
Gabon
Year
2016
Apps
4
Goals
1
2017
2017
National team
2017
Year
6
Apps
0
2018
2018
National team
2018
Year
0
Apps
0
2019
2019
National team
2019
Year
3
Apps
2
2020
2020
National team
2020
Year
3
Apps
0
2021
2021
National team
2021
Year
7
Apps
1
2022
2022
National team
2022
Year
7
Apps
3
2023
2023
National team
2023
Year
5
Apps
1
Total
Total
National team
Total
Year
35
Apps
8
National team
Year
Apps
Goals
Gabon
2016
4
1
2017
6
0
2018
0
0
2019
3
2
2020
3
0
2021
7
1
2022
7
3
2023
5
1
Total
35
8
List of international goals scored by Aaron Boupendza · Career statistics › International
1
1
No.
1
Date
20 January 2016
Venue
Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, Rwanda
Opponent
Rwanda
Score
1–2
Result
1–2
Competition
2016 African Nations Championship
2
2
No.
2
Date
15 October 2019
Venue
Stade Ibn Batouta, Tangier, Morocco
Opponent
Morocco
Score
1–0
Result
3–2
Competition
Friendly
3
3
No.
3
Date
17 November 2019
Venue
Stade de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
Opponent
Angola
Score
1–0
Result
2–1
Competition
2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4
4
No.
4
Date
25 March 2021
Venue
Stade de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
Opponent
DR Congo
Score
1–0
Result
3–0
Competition
2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
5
5
No.
5
Date
10 January 2022
Venue
Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Opponent
Comoros
Score
1–0
Result
1–0
Competition
2021 Africa Cup of Nations
6
6
No.
6
Date
17 November 2022
Venue
Atilla Vehbi Konuk Tesisleri, Antalya, Turkey
Opponent
Guinea-Bissau
Score
1–0
Result
3–1
Competition
Friendly
7
7
No.
7
Date
2–1
8
8
No.
8
Date
17 October 2023
Venue
Estádio Algarve, Algarve, Portugal
Opponent
Guinea
Score
1–0
Result
1–1
Competition
Friendly
No.
Date
Venue
Opponent
Score
Result
Competition
1
20 January 2016
Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, Rwanda
Rwanda
1–2
1–2
2016 African Nations Championship
2
15 October 2019
Stade Ibn Batouta, Tangier, Morocco
Morocco
1–0
3–2
Friendly
3
17 November 2019
Stade de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
Angola
1–0
2–1
2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4
25 March 2021
Stade de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
DR Congo
1–0
3–0
2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
5
10 January 2022
Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Comoros
1–0
1–0
2021 Africa Cup of Nations
6
17 November 2022
Atilla Vehbi Konuk Tesisleri, Antalya, Turkey
Guinea-Bissau
1–0
3–1
Friendly
7
2–1
8
17 October 2023
Estádio Algarve, Algarve, Portugal
Guinea
1–0
1–1
Friendly

References

  1. Includes Coupe de France, Taça de Portugal, Turkish Cup, Emir Cup, U.S. Open Cup, Cupa României
  2. Includes Coupe de la Ligue, Taça da Liga, Qatar FA Cup
  3. Appearances in Qatari Stars Cup
  4. Four appearances and one goal in MLS Cup playoffs, three appearances in Leagues Cup
  5. Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup
  6. L'Équipe
    https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur63828.html
  7. Africa Top Sports
    http://www.africatopsports.com/2016/08/05/aaron-boupendza-pepite-gabonais-debarque-a-bordeaux/
  8. L'Équipe
    https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Bordeaux-prete-aaron-boupendza-a-pau/824755
  9. Sud-Ouest
    https://www.sudouest.fr/sport/football/ligue1/ligue-1-bordeaux-l-heure-de-la-rentree-a-sonne-3005670.php
  10. Sud-Ouest
    https://www.sudouest.fr/sport/girondins-boupendza-prolonge-et-part-en-pret-au-gazelec-ajaccio-3075110.php
  11. Le Figaro
    https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/football/ligue-1/fil-info/bordeaux-le-pret-de-boupendza-au-gazelec-rompu-direction-tours-936763
  12. Record
    https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/feirense/detalhe/boupendza-e-o-9-reforco-do-feirense
  13. "Football : Une procédure disciplinaire contre Aaron Boupendza"
    https://www.gabonreview.com/football-une-procedure-disciplinaire-contre-aaron-boupendza/
  14. L'Équipe
    https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transferts-aaron-boupendza-ex-bordeaux-rebondit-en-turquie/1158676
  15. "Cameroon's Aboubakar and Ghana's Mensah win Super Lig title with Besiktas in final day drama"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240102164108/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/cameroons-aboubakar-and-ghanas-mensah-win-super-lig-title-with-besiktas-in-final-day-drama/1skkg8bkjf8jg1hwc0ywp2p7nb
  16. The Maravi Post
    https://www.maravipost.com/gabons-aaron-boupendza-wows-turkish-super-league/
  17. "Aboubakar, Boupendza score, Akintola and Ghezzal grab assists as Hatayspor hold Besiktas"
    https://www.goal.com/en-sa/news/aboubakar-boupendza-score-akintola-and-ghezzal-grab-assists-as-hatayspor-hold-besiktas/126nfeoq5yei913xkbiql4vbid
  18. "Football: Al Arabi SC officialise l'arrivée d'Aaron Boupendza pour 4,5 millions d'euros"
    https://gabonmediatime.com/football-al-arabi-sc-officialise-larrivee-daaron-boupendza-pour-45-millions-deuros/
  19. Gabon Review
    https://www.gabonreview.com/football-boupendza-souleve-son-premier-trophee-hors-du-gabon/
  20. "Transfert: Boupendza signe en Arabie Saoudite pour 3 ans avec Al Shabab"
    https://gabonmediatime.com/transfert-boupendza-signe-en-arabie-saoudite-pour-3-ans-avec-al-shabab/
  21. "Football : un quadruplé pour Aaron Boupendza en fin de Saudi Pro League"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240102164109/https://www.trustgabon.com/actualites/sport/football-un-quadruple-pour-aaron-boupendza-en-fin-de-saudi-pro-league/
  22. "Forward Aaron Boupendza coming to FC Cincinnati after transfer with Saudi club Al-Shabab FC"
    https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2023/06/13/fc-cincinnati-acquires-elite-goal-scorer-boupendza
  23. The Cincinnati Enquirer via Fox19 news
    https://www.fox19.com/2023/10/01/fc-cincinnati-beats-toronto-fc-clinch-2023-supporters-shield/
  24. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/nov/05/fc-cincinnati-eliminates-new-york-red-bulls-from-mls-playoffs
  25. The Cincinnati Enquirer
    https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2024/08/08/fc-cincinnati-aaron-boupendzas-mls-contract-was-voided-what-it-means/74723254007/
  26. Digi Sport
    https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/liga-1/aaron-boupendza-a-semnat-cu-rapid-marius-sumudica-este-ca-un-tata-pentru-mine-3165853
  27. Gazeta Sporturilor
    https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/aaron-boupendza-transfer-rapid-zhejiang-professional-775016.html
  28. "Aaron Boupendza sur les tablettes de 2 clubs chinois"
    https://gaboneco.com/aaron-boupendza-sur-les-tablettes-de-2-clubs-chinois/
  29. Digi Sport
    https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/aaron-boupendza-a-lovit-din-nou-la-doua-luni-de-la-plecarea-de-la-rapid-3512787
  30. "Coach Bounguendza names Gabon 23 man squad"
    https://kawowo.com/2016/01/05/coach-bounguendza-names-gabon-23-man-squad-chan-2016/
  31. "CHAN 2016: Rwanda 2 - 1 Gabon"
    https://www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20160120-chan-2016-rwanda-2-1-gabon
  32. Diario AS
    https://en.as.com/en/2022/01/11/soccer/1641881958_565672.html
  33. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jan/23/burkina-faso-gabon-tunisia-nigeria-africa-cup-of-nations-match-report
  34. Foot Mercato
    https://www.footmercato.net/a2087111941767044527-aaron-boupendza-est-decede
  35. Türkiye Today
    https://www.turkiyetoday.com/sports/chinese-police-say-aaron-boupendza-dies-after-accidental-fall-145855/
  36. "Anger as China club plays hours after striker Boupendza's death"
    https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250417-anger-as-china-club-plays-hours-after-striker-boupendza-s-death
  37. Aaron Boupendza at Soccerway
    https://int.soccerway.com/players/aaron-salem-boupendza-pozzi/432062/
  38. National Football Teams
    https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/61931.html
  39. National Football Teams
    https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/61931.html
  40. TFF
    https://www.tff.org/default.aspx?pageID=821
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