Gabon excludes Aubameyang and disbands national team after ‘disgraceful’ Africa Cup of Nations exit.
In a strong reaction, Gabon's authorities have revealed the indefinite suspension of the men's national football team, the termination of the coaching staff, and the expulsion of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad.
This severe measure comes after the team's early elimination at the Afcon tournament in Morocco, where they lost all three matches.
“Given the Panthers’ unacceptable display 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 the two veteran players,” said acting sports minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula.
Group Stage of Failure
Coached by former defender Thierry Mouyouma, Gabon had already been eliminated after losing their first two of Group F contests to their group rivals.
In their last match, the Panthers surprisingly led over defending champions Côte d’Ivoire before surrendering their advantage to a changed Ivorian lineup, eventually losing 3-2 defeat in Marrakech.
Veteran Players Absent
Both Aubameyang and the experienced centre-back Bruno Ecuele Manga took part in the final match.
The ex-continental player of the year Aubameyang had gone back to his club, Marseille, for treatment on a muscle issue.
Responding to the measures on his account, Aubameyang implied the challenges ran beyond any single player: “I think the team’s problems are more complex than the player I am.”
At thirty-six and thirty-seven years old each, the loss to Mozambique may have been the final international game for the two veterans, Ecuele Manga.
A Drastic Measure in Modern Football
Disbanding a national team was formerly a frequent response in Africa to disappointing results.
However, given that FIFA, football’s global governing body, has taken a hard stance against government interference in football associations, such actions have become increasingly rare in today's football landscape.
