The AFCON is in full swing. The group stage has been completed and the knockout stages is set to begin; with the Round of 16 set to begin today (3 January). There were no real drama. The eliminated teams have dispersed and left Morocco. Of the eliminated teams, Gabon hasn't been left off lightly. They've had to suffer the wrath of their government for their poor performances.
Gabon endured a nightmarish campaign at AFCON, as they lost all three games they played. The Panthers lost their opener 1-0 to Cameroon, before going down 3-2 in a thriller against Mozambique. They were then beaten 3-2, again, by the Ivory Coast, thanks to an injury-time strike from Bazoumana Toure.
Manager, Thierry Mouyouma, was only the second manager to guide Gabon to the AFCON, favouring a high-pressing, high intensity style of play that had drawn success in qualification. At the tournament, though, Gabon were leaky, and unable to turn their high-press into wins.
Mouyouma and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were at the centre of news stories during the tournament due to doubts over the latter's fitness.
The Gabon boss responded: "This contempt must stop. We are playing in an Africa Cup of Nations, not a recovery camp. The player was tested, examined, and cleared by our medical staff and by the CAF medical commission.
"During FIFA dates, players belong to their countries. I simply ask for respect for our work, our decisions, and our ambitions."
Gabon’s government has suspended the national team, sacking the coach and kicking star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off the squad in the wake of three defeats at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
Gabon were the second team eliminated from the ongoing AFCON in Morocco after consecutive defeats in their opening two matches, first falling 1-0 to neighbours and rivals Cameroon, before a 3-2 loss against unfancied Mozambique.
Gabon’s acting Sports Minister, Simplice-Desire Mamboula, on Wednesday, announced the suspension of the national team on television after they finished last in their group and were eliminated from the tournament in Morocco.
"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 after a 3-2 loss to the Ivory Coast in Marrakesh.
"Considering the multifaceted effects, which are the antithesis of the ethical and exemplary values advocated by the Fifth Republic, 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," Mamboula said.
"[The Gabonese Football Federation are] invited to take full responsibility," the statement added.
Gabon, coached by former defender, Thierry Mouyouma, had already been eliminated after losing their opening pair of Group F fixtures to Cameroon and Mozambique but in their final outing were 2-0 up over the defending champions before conceding three goals and going down to a second-string Ivorian lineup.
Neither Aubameyang nor veteran defender, Ecuele Manga, played on Wednesday, with Aubameyang having returned to his French club, Olympique de Marseille, for treatment on a thigh injury.
The former African Footballer of the Year responded on social media, saying on X: "I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am." Aubameyang, at 36, had likely played his last game for Gabon in their defeat by Mozambique, as was also likely the case with the 37-year-old former Cardiff City defender, Ecuele Manga.
A dispute between the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) and Marseille about the handling of Aubameyang and his fitness issues also impacted their AFCON campaign.
Some hours after the television announcement, the government appeared to retract the statement, although it remains to be seen whether the provisions outlined in the communique will still be enacted.
"This contempt must stop," Mouyouma said of Marseille's interference in Gabon's use of Aubameyang during the tournament. "We are playing in an Africa Cup of Nations, not a recovery camp."
Gabon were one of three teams - along with Botswana and Equatorial Guinea - to be eliminated from AFCON without taking a single point.
As well as the poor results on the pitch, Gabon's AFCON campaign was beset with problems, from disputes between Marseille and FEGAFOOT on the handling of Aubameyang amidst his fitness problems, to criticism back home of the coach's tactics.
FIFA statutes prevent government intervention into the affairs of each member country's football association, and there may yet be consequences for Gabon, while it remains to be seen if this is the end of 36-year-old Aubameyang's international career.
Disbanding the national team used to be a common reaction in Africa to disappointing results, but since world football’s governing body FIFA has taken a hard stance against government interference in the running of football associations, it has been a rare occurrence.
Gabon have never won AFCON and have never actually gone beyond the quarter-finals, reaching the last-eight in 1996 and 2012, the latter as hosts. Aubameyang's ban from selection may bring the curtain down on a lengthy international career. In total, he won 49 caps, scoring 28 goals, having played for his country between 2009 and 2025.
I think this whole thing is a bit of an overreaction. It's unrealistic to expect a country to be invincible. A board should set a goal for their corresponding country to reach. If that goal isn't reached, then some action should take place.
I mean no disrespect or offence to Gabon but I didn't see them winning AFCON. I understand that other people will have different opinions on the matter. Sacking the managerial side of things is normal but sacking players is going way overboard.