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Ed Dove
Following a poor showing at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the government of Gabon has taken decisive action against the national team. The entire squad has been suspended, with the exception of star player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and head coach Thierry Mouyouma, along with his entire staff, was dismissed.
Gabon was the second team to be eliminated from the ongoing AFCON in Morocco, losing their first two matches; they suffered a 1-0 defeat to their close rivals Cameroon and a surprising 3-2 loss against Mozambique.
Their dismal campaign continued with a third defeat, where they initially led 2-0 against the defending champions, Ivory Coast, only to lose 3-2, thus squandering a potential path to redemption.
In response to what they termed a “dishonourable performance,” the Gabonese government announced a series of punitive measures via a televised address.
“Taking into account the various consequences that contradict the ethical and exemplary values of the Fifth Republic, the government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team indefinitely, and exclude players Bruno Ecuélé Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” stated Minister of Sports Simplice-Desire Mamboula during the briefing.
The statement also urged the Gabonese Football Federation to assume full responsibility for the situation.
Aubameyang and Ecuélé Manga, who recently unretired from international duty to join the squad, served as captains during the first two matches of the tournament, with Aubameyang managing an injury sustained while playing for Marseille prior to the AFCON.
In response, Aubameyang tweeted, “I believe the team’s issues run much deeper than my individual role.”
Shortly after the government announcement, it seemed there was a retraction of the statement, leaving uncertainty about whether the outlined measures will be enforced.
According to FIFA statutes, government interference with member associations’ activities is prohibited, raising the possibility of consequences for Gabon. It’s unclear if this situation marks the end of Aubameyang’s international career at age 36.
In addition to the poor performance on the pitch, Gabon’s AFCON journey was marred by controversies, including tensions between Marseille and the Gabonese Football Federation over Aubameyang’s fitness, alongside criticisms of the coaching strategies.
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“This disrespect must come to an end,” Mouyouma expressed concerning Marseille’s influence over Gabon’s utilization of Aubameyang during the tournament.
“We are participating in an Africa Cup of Nations, not a rehabilitation camp,” he stated. “The player underwent testing, evaluation, and was cleared by both our medical team and the CAF medical commission.” He emphasized, “During FIFA windows, players belong to their national teams, and I simply request respect for our work, choices, and ambitions.”
Gabon was among three teams — alongside Botswana and Equatorial Guinea — to exit the AFCON without earning a single point.
ESPN has reached out to the Gabonese Football Federation for additional comments.