In an unprecedented move, the Gabonese government has taken the drastic step of suspending its entire national football team and dissolving the coaching staff. This dramatic action comes in the immediate aftermath of the team's early and disappointing exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Government Announces Drastic Measures on Live TV
The nation's acting sports minister, Simplice-Désiré Mamboula, delivered the stunning verdict on live television. He branded the team's performance at the tournament as 'disgraceful' following their final group stage match, a 3-2 defeat to Ivory Coast on Wednesday. Despite leading by two goals at half-time, Gabon capitulated in the second half, sealing their fate with three losses from three games in Group F.
'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,' Minister Mamboula stated. He further called upon the Gabonese Football Federation to assume all its responsibilities.
Star Players Axed as Team Faces Dissolution
The government's decree specifically targets two of the nation's most experienced and high-profile players. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker and Gabon's all-time top scorer, has been formally excluded. The 36-year-old, who now plays for Marseille, featured in Gabon's earlier 3-2 loss to Mozambique—where he scored—and came off the bench in the 1-0 defeat to Cameroon. He missed the final match against Ivory Coast due to a thigh injury.
Also excluded is Bruno Ecuele Manga, the 37-year-old former Cardiff City defender. He was dropped from the squad for the Ivory Coast match by head coach Thierry Mayouma, who has also now left his position. These moves likely signal the end of the international careers for both veteran players.
Historical Context and Potential FIFA Fallout
This intervention by a national government, while severe, is not without precedent in African football. Historically, such direct political interference was more common. However, world governing body FIFA has made concerted efforts to clamp down on it to protect the autonomy of football associations.
A notable precedent occurred in March 2017, when FIFA suspended the Mali Football Association after the nation's sports minister dissolved its executive committee. The Gabonese government's current actions could potentially trigger a similar response from FIFA, which strictly forbids governmental interference in the running of national football bodies.
The team's dissolution caps a miserable period for Gabonese football. The nation entered AFCON on the back of a failed World Cup qualification campaign, where they narrowly missed automatic qualification by a single point before losing to Nigeria in a play-off semi-final.
