Gabon’s government has suspended the national football team, sacked the coach, and removed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad following a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Acting sports minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula announced the measures on television after the team finished bottom of their group.
“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,” Mamboula said. Gabon lost all three group matches, including a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Ivory Coast after leading 2-0.
Aubameyang, 36, did not play in the final match, having returned to his club Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury. The former African Footballer of the Year responded on social media, posting on X: “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am.”
Disbanding national teams was once common in Africa following poor results, but has become rare since Fifa adopted a firm stance against government interference in football associations.
