Gabon’s government has taken drastic action following the Panthers‘ disastrous group stage exit at AFCON 2025, announcing the suspension of the national team until further notice, dissolution of the coaching staff, and permanent exclusion of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and captain Bruno Ecuele Manga.
The statement, read on national television by acting Sports Minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula on January 1, 2026, labeled the performance “disgraceful” after three defeats: 1-0 vs Cameroon, 3-2 vs Mozambique, and 3-2 vs Ivory Coast (despite leading 2-0).
Key decisions:
Dissolve entire technical staff (coach Thierry Mouyouma out)
Suspend all national team activities indefinitely
Permanently ban Aubameyang (36, Gabon’s all-time top scorer with 41 goals) and Ecuele Manga (37, most-capped with 105 appearances)
Aubameyang, injured, missed the final game and returned to Marseille early. Ecuele Manga was dropped for the Ivory Coast match.
Such government intervention, once common in African football, is rare now due to FIFA’s strict rules against political interference, potentially risking sanctions on the federation.
Gabon finished bottom of Group F with zero points, marking one of their worst AFCON showings. The move signals a full reset amid calls for reform from President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
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