Gabon dismisses Aubameyang and suspends national team after poor Africa Cup of Nations performance.
In an unprecedented step, Gabon's authorities have announced the immediate suspension of the men's national football team, the dismissal of the team's coaches, and the expulsion of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the team.
This severe measure comes after the team's early elimination at the Afcon tournament in Morocco, where they lost all three matches.
“Given the Panthers’ unacceptable performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and remove players the two veteran players,” stated acting sports minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula.
Group Stage of Failure
Coached by ex-player Thierry Mouyouma, Gabon were already out after suffering defeats in their opening pair of Group F contests to Mozambique and Cameroon.
In their last match, the Panthers were 2-0 up over defending champions Côte d’Ivoire before letting in three scores to a changed Ivorian lineup, falling to a 3-2 defeat in Marrakech.
Senior Squad Members Missing
Both Aubameyang and the veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga featured in the Wednesday's contest.
The ex-continental player of the year Aubameyang had rejoined his club, Marseille, for treatment on a muscle issue.
Reacting to the government's decision on his account, Aubameyang suggested the challenges ran deeper than any one person: “I think the team’s problems are far more profound than the player I am.”
At 36 and 37 years old respectively, the defeat by Mozambique probably was the last appearance for the two veterans, Ecuele Manga.
A Drastic Step in Modern Football
Suspending a national side was once a typical measure in Africa to disappointing results.
However, as FIFA, football’s world authority, has taken a hard stance against political meddling in soccer federations, such actions have become increasingly rare in today's football landscape.
