Gabon government acts after AFCON failure, sacks coach and bans Aubameyang

Gabon’s government has taken sweeping action following the national team’s early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, suspending the Panthers indefinitely, dismissing head coach Thierry Mouyouma and banning striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from selection, Sport360NG reports.

Sports Minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula announced the decisions after Gabon’s 3-2 defeat by hosts Ivory Coast on 31 December, a result that confirmed the country’s elimination from the tournament in Morocco.

Gabon finished bottom of their group after earlier defeats by Cameroon and Mozambique, with Mamboula branding the team’s performances “disgraceful”.

“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” the minister said.

Already eliminated before facing Ivory Coast, Gabon surrendered a two-goal advantage in Marrakech to cap a disappointing campaign.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea forward Aubameyang, now at Marseille, did not feature in the final group match after returning to France for treatment on a thigh injury. Responding to the criticism, the 34-year-old said the issues facing the team extended beyond any one individual.

“I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am,” he said.

Mouyouma, who had been in charge for just over two years, oversaw Gabon’s entire AFCON campaign.

While it was once common for African governments to intervene directly following poor tournament performances, such measures have become increasingly rare in recent years as Fifa has tightened rules against political interference in football administration.