AFCON 2025: Gabon Disbands National Team As Aubameyang And Coach Are Removed

‎Gabon’s government has suspended the national team and dismissed the head coach following three straight defeats at the Africa Cup of Nations.

‎Sports Minister, Franck Nguema announced the decision on national television after the team finished bottom of their group in Morocco.

‎Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also removed from the squad as part of the sweeping sanctions.

‎“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,” said acting ​sports minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Ivory Coast in Marrakech.

‎Gabon, led by former defender Thierry Mouyouma, was already out of the tournament after losing its first two Group F matches to Cameroon and Mozambique. In their final game, they raced into a 2-0 lead against the defending champions. 

‎However, they collapsed late on, conceding three goals to a second-string Ivorian side and suffering another defeat.

‎Neither ⁠Aubameyang nor veteran defender Ecuele Manga played on Wednesday, with Aubameyang having returned to his French club Olympique de Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury.

‎The former African Footballer of the Year responded on social media, saying on X, “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am.”

‎At 36, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had likely made his final appearance for Gabon in the loss to Mozambique, a situation mirrored by 37-year-old former Cardiff City defender Ecuele Manga.

‎Disbanding a national team was once a frequent response to poor results in African football.

‎However, since FIFA introduced strict measures against government interference, such drastic actions have become far less common.