Gabon midfielder Didier Ndong was kicked out of his country's World Cup squad on Wednesday and sent back to his English Premier League club Sunderland after failing to turn up for international duty.

The 22-year-old was accused of not letting the Gabon federation know the reasons why he had failed to show up for training ahead of Saturday's qualifier against Mali in Bamako even though he had been in Libreville since Monday.

"As a consequence, the Gabon football federation (Fegafoot) decided to send the player back to Sunderland," said a statement.

"He has not explained why he has not joined with the squad and all attempts to contact him have proved to be in vain."

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