The Gabonese government removes Aubameyang and suspends national team after disappointing Afcon exit.
In an unprecedented step, Gabon's authorities have revealed the temporary dissolution of the men's national football team, the dismissal of the coaching staff, and the expulsion of veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from national duty.
This drastic action comes after the team's group-stage exit at the Afcon tournament in Morocco, where they lost all three matches.
“Considering the Panthers’ unacceptable performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to terminate the coaching staff, freeze the national team until further notice, and remove players Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga,” announced acting sports minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula.
A Campaign of Disappointment
Coached by ex-player Thierry Mouyouma, Gabon were already out after suffering defeats in their initial matches of Group F fixtures to Cameroon and Mozambique.
In their concluding fixture, the Panthers surprisingly led over title holders Côte d’Ivoire before surrendering their advantage to a second-string Ivorian lineup, succumbing to a 3-2 defeat in Marrakech.
Veteran Players Not Involved
Both Aubameyang and the experienced centre-back Bruno Ecuele Manga played in the last game.
The former African Footballer of the Year Aubameyang had gone back to his club, Marseille, for treatment on a thigh injury.
Reacting to the government's decision on social media, Aubameyang stated the problems ran beyond any individual: “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am.”
At thirty-six and 37 years old respectively, the loss to Mozambique likely marked the last match for the two veterans, Ecuele Manga.
An Uncommon Measure in Modern Football
Suspending a national side was previously a frequent response in Africa to tournament failures.
However, as FIFA, football’s global governing body, has cracked down against government interference in football associations, such actions have become increasingly rare in recent years.