Gabon national football team has been thrown into disarray after their group stage exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Gabonese government, through a statement from the Ministry of Sports, announced the suspension of the Panthers from any international competition with immediate effect.
In addition, Thierry Mayouma’s coaching staff was dissolved with experienced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and captain Bruno Ecuele Manga banned from future selection.
The Panthers failed to pick up a point in Group F, after losing against Cameroon, Mozambique and Cote d’Ivoire.
In their final group game against Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon went ahead 2-0 through goals from Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC, but they conceded the lead and lost 3-2 at Stade de Marrakech on Wednesday.
Gabon’s disappointing outing in Morocco came on the back of their impressive run in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers where they made it into the African playoffs where they lost 4-1 to Nigeria in the semis.
The government statement read: “Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Total Energies Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and considering the multifaceted effects that are diametrically opposed to the values of ethics and exemplarity advocated by the Fifth Republic, the Government has decided: to dissolve the technical staff; to suspend the national team until further notice; to remove players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the team.”
Aubameyang missed Gabon’s final group game due to a thigh injury and he is back in Marseille while Manga was an unused substitute against Cote d’Ivoire.
Aubameyang remains the country’s top scorer with 40 goals and Manga boasts of the most appearances with 114 games under his belt.
Angola national team in crisis
Following their exit from the AFCON group stage, Angola departed the North African country on New Year’s Day but only six players returned to the country’s capital, Luanda.
French coach, Patrice Beaumelle and his technical crew did not join the delegation to return to Angola which raises question about their future with the country’s national team.
The Red Devils gathered just two points in the three matches, losing their opener against South Africa followed by back-to-back draws against Zimbabwe and Egypt.
Despite making it to AFCON 2023 quarter-final, Angola failed to make past the group stage in Morocco – a setback that could have consequences.
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