Gabon Government Suspends National Team And Bans Aubameyang

Gabon’s government has taken sweeping action against the national football team following a disastrous Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, announcing the suspension of the side, the dismissal of head coach Thierry Mouyouma and his staff, and bans for senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga.

Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula confirmed the measures after Gabon’s dramatic 3–2 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast on 31 December, a match in which Gabon had led 2–0 before collapsing late on. The loss sealed a winless AFCON campaign in Morocco, with Gabon finishing bottom of their group after defeats to Cameroon, Mozambique and Ivory Coast.

Mamboula condemned the team’s performances as “disgraceful” and “dishonourable”, saying they fell short of the values and expectations of the nation. Gabon were one of just three teams eliminated from the tournament without registering a single point, alongside Botswana and Equatorial Guinea.

The fallout has been particularly severe for Aubameyang, Gabon’s most high-profile player, who was banned despite missing the final group match after returning to Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury. Aubameyang later hit back at the government’s decision, saying the national team’s problems were “much deeper” than the actions or presence of any one individual.

Mouyouma, who had been in charge for just over two years, was also dismissed following a campaign marred by controversy. Disputes emerged between Marseille and Gabon’s football federation over Aubameyang’s fitness, while coaching tactics were openly criticised. Mouyouma defended his handling of the situation, accusing Marseille of interference and insisting Aubameyang had been medically cleared by both Gabonese doctors and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The government’s intervention has raised concerns about potential breaches of FIFA regulations, which prohibit political interference in football governance and can lead to sanctions against national federations.

Adding to the uncertainty, hours after the announcement the government appeared to partially retract its statement, leaving questions over whether the suspensions and bans will ultimately be enforced and what the longer-term consequences will be for Gabonese football.

_{Featured Image Credit: Pixabay / jorono}