Gabon’s government have suspended the national football team, dissolved the coaching staff and excluded Pierre Emerick Aubameyang from the squad following a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
The decision was announced on national television by Gabon’s Minister of Sports after the Panthers finished bottom of their group and were eliminated from the tournament in Morocco.
“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang,” said acting sports minister Simplice Desire Mamboula after Wednesday’s 3 to 2 defeat to Ivory Coast in Marrakech.
Gabon, coached by former defender Thierry Mouyouma, had already been knocked out after losing their opening Group F matches to Cameroon and Mozambique. In their final game, they surrendered a 2 goal lead to lose against a largely second string Ivorian side.
Neither Aubameyang nor veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga featured in the final match. Aubameyang had returned to French club Olympique de Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury.
Reacting on social media platform X, the former African Footballer of the Year said: “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am.”
At 36, Aubameyang is widely expected to have played his final match for Gabon, alongside 37 year old former Cardiff City defender Ecuele Manga.
While disbanding national teams was once common in Africa after poor tournament performances, such actions have become rare due to FIFA’s firm opposition to government interference in football administration.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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