Gabon’s government has banned veteran players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga, suspended the entire national team, and fired the coaching staff after the Panthers’ poor performance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Gabon lost 3-2 to defending champions Ivory Coast after an injury-time goal by Bazoumana Toure, marking their third straight defeat in Group F and leaving them bottom of the group, below Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Mozambique.
Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula said the government acted due to the team’s “disgraceful performance,” dissolving the technical staff, suspending the team, and removing Aubameyang and Manga. The announcement was briefly removed from official channels before being republished.
The decision followed Gabon’s shocking 3-2 loss to 102nd-ranked Mozambique, which ended their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. Aubameyang returned to Marseille with a thigh injury after the defeat.
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema criticized the team for showing a “lack of method and dispersed resources” and promised strong reforms to improve governance in national sports.
However, the move could bring FIFA scrutiny, as the organization prohibits government interference in football associations.
