The Gabonese government has suspended the country’s national football team and dissolved its technical crew following a disappointing outing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula announced the decision during a broadcast on Gabonese television, describing the team’s performance at the tournament as unacceptable.
As part of the sanctions, senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga have been banned from the national team until further notice, while the entire coaching staff has been relieved of their duties.“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the AFCON, the government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and remove players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” Mamboula said.
The announcement came on the same day Gabon were knocked out of the competition. A 3–2 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast sealed their elimination from the tournament.
Gabon finished bottom of Group F, behind Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mozambique, bringing their AFCON 2025 campaign to an abrupt end.
