Gabon’s sports minister has announced the suspension of the entire national football team, the dismissal of the coaching staff, and the banning of veteran players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga following the team’s poor performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Panthers suffered a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Ivory Coast on Wednesday, sealed by an injury-time goal from Bazoumana Toure. This marked Gabon’s third consecutive loss in the group stage, leaving them at the bottom of Group F behind Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Mozambique.
“Due to the Panthers’ disappointing performance at 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,” said Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula on Gabonese television Wednesday evening.
Shortly after the announcement, the video clip was removed from the ministry’s official platforms and the broadcaster’s online channels, before being republished on Thursday.
The team’s performance was reviewed by the Council of Ministers following Gabon’s 3-2 loss to 102nd-ranked Mozambique, which confirmed that the team would not advance to the knockout stages. Aubameyang returned to his French club Marseille after the defeat due to a thigh injury.
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema said the outcome “has weakened part of our national identity,” according to an official statement.
The move could create issues for Gabon with FIFA, which strictly prohibits government interference in the affairs of its member football associations.
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