Gabon’s Minister of Sports, Simplice-Desire Mamboula, has announced sweeping sanctions following the country’s disastrous outing at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Themomentng reports that these sanctions includes the banning of senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga, the suspension of the entire national team, and the dismissal of the coaching crew.
The drastic measures came after Gabon’s 3–2 defeat to defending champions Ivory Coast on Wednesday, sealed by an injury-time winner from Bazoumana Touré. The loss marked the Panthers’ third defeat in as many matches, leaving them bottom of Group F behind Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mozambique.
Speaking on Gabonese television late Wednesday, Mamboula described the team’s campaign as disgraceful.
“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,” he said.
Although the video of the announcement was briefly removed from official platforms, it was later reposted on Thursday.
The decision followed deliberations by the Council of Ministers after Sunday’s 3–2 defeat to Mozambique, ranked 102nd in the world, which confirmed Gabon’s elimination from the tournament.
Aubameyang, who plays for Marseille, returned to France after that match due to a thigh injury.
Reacting to the national team’s failure, Gabon’s President, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, said the poor showing had affected the country’s sense of identity.
“This has weakened part of our national identity,” the president said in a statement released on Wednesday. “The national team highlights two major problems: the lack of method and the dispersion of resources.”
He added that the government would take “strong and structural decisions” to restore discipline, accountability and ambition in the management of national sports.
However, the government’s intervention could attract sanctions from FIFA, which strictly prohibits political interference in the affairs of its member football associations.
