Gabon have taken drastic action in the wake of a disastrous Africa Cup of Nations campaign, with the government suspending the national team, banning senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga, and dismissing the entire technical crew.
The sweeping sanctions were announced by Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula following Gabon’s dramatic 3-2 loss to defending champions Ivory Coast on Wednesday, a defeat sealed by an injury-time strike from Bazoumana Touré. The result capped a miserable tournament for the Panthers, who lost all three group matches and finished bottom of Group F behind Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mozambique.
In a televised address, Mamboula outlined the government’s response to the team’s performances.
“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the AFCON, the government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and remove players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” he said.
The announcement was briefly removed from official platforms before being republished, sparking widespread debate. Gabon’s struggles had already triggered alarm after a shock 3-2 defeat to 102nd-ranked Mozambique eliminated them from knockout contention and prompted an emergency review by the Council of Ministers.
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema described the situation as damaging to national pride.
“This has weakened part of our national identity,” he said, adding that the team’s problems reflected “the lack of method and the dispersion of resources.”
While the government has promised structural reforms, the intervention could expose Gabon to sanctions from FIFA, which forbids state interference in football administration.