AFCON 2025: Gabon Government Suspends National Team and sack Aubameyang

Gabon’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign has ended in chaos, with the government taking the extraordinary step of suspending the national team, dissolving the technical staff, and excluding star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after a disastrous group-stage exit in Morocco.

Acting Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula announced the sweeping changes live on national television, calling the Panthers’ performance “disgraceful” following Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat to Ivory Coast in Marrakech.

“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.

From Hope to Humiliation

Gabon, coached by former international Thierry Mouyouma, finished bottom of Group F after losing their opening two matches to Cameroon and Mozambique. Their final game summed up their tournament, leading 2-0 against the defending champions before collapsing to a second-string Ivorian side.

Neither Aubameyang nor veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga featured in the last match. Aubameyang had returned to Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury, while Ecuele Manga, 37, was sidelined.

Aubameyang Responds

The former African Footballer of the Year took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts:
“I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am.”

At 36, Aubameyang’s international career appears over, as does Ecuele Manga’s. Both were key figures for Gabon over the past decade, but their exits mark the end of an era.

Government Interference: A Rare Move

Disbanding national teams after poor tournaments was once common in African football. However, FIFA’s strict stance against government interference has made such actions rare. Gabon’s decision could invite scrutiny from world football’s governing body.