By Charles Maduka
The Gabonese government has suspended the country’s national football team following its disappointing exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, along with banning senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and captain Bruno Ecuele Manga from future selection.
The decision comes after Gabon finished bottom of Group F at AFCON 2025. The Panthers lost their first two group matches and suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Ivory Coast in their final game, despite taking an early 2-0 lead. Bazoumana Toure’s stoppage-time goal completed the collapse and sealed Gabon’s elimination from the tournament.
In response to the poor outing, the government also dissolved the coaching crew led by head coach Thierry Mayouma, a former Gabon international who made more than 30 appearances during his playing career. The entire national team has now been suspended until further notice.
In a statement read on national television, the government described the team’s performance as disgraceful and contrary to the values of ethics and responsibility promoted by the state. The statement confirmed the dissolution of the technical staff, the suspension of the national team, and the removal of Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga from the squad, while urging the Gabonese Football Federation to take full responsibility for the situation.
Aubameyang, Gabon’s all-time leading scorer with 41 goals, returned to Marseille injured before the final group match, while Ecuele Manga, the country’s most capped player with 105 appearances, was dropped for the game against Ivory Coast after starting the opening two fixtures. Despite winning eight of their ten World Cup qualifying matches, Gabon also failed to reach the next World Cup after losing to Nigeria in a play-off semi-final.
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