The Gabonese government has indefinitely suspended the men’s national football team following its early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Simplice-Desire Mamboula, acting sports minister of Gabon, announced that senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga have been permanently excluded from the national team.
The minister also confirmed the dissolution of the team’s technical crew, which was led by Thierry Mouyouma, a former national team defender.
“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance 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 Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” Mamboula said.
Gabon lost all three matches in Group F of the 2025 AFCON, beginning with a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon.
In their second game, Mozambique overcame Gabon 3-2.
The final group match against Cote d’Ivoire saw Gabon surrender a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2.
Neither Aubameyang nor Manga featured in the last game, as Aubameyang had returned to Olympique Marseille earlier in the week due to a thigh injury.
A month before AFCON, Gabon also suffered a semi-final defeat to Nigeria in the African play-off for the 2026 World Cup.
They drew 1-1 in regular time before succumbing 4-1 in extra time.