Gabon Football in Crisis as Government Takes Drastic Action After AFCON 2025 Losses

In a dramatic and rare move in modern international football, the Gabonese government has announced the suspension of the Gabon national football team and the dismissal of key staff and players following a disappointing campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The decision comes after the Panthers endured a winless run in the group stage, ending with a third consecutive defeat that saw them finish bottom of Group F.

The decisive action was outlined by Acting Sports Minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula, who addressed the nation on television shortly after Gabon’s final group match - a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, despite holding a 2-0 lead earlier in the game. The government described the team’s overall performance at AFCON 2025 as “disgraceful” and inconsistent with the values of ethics and exemplarity expected of a national side.

As part of the sweeping measures, the entire national team structure has been suspended “until further notice.” The coaching staff, led by former Gabon defender Thierry Mouyouma, has been dissolved, while senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the country’s all-time leading scorer, and captain Bruno Ecuele Manga are reportedly banned from future national team selection.

The move marks an extraordinary intervention in the sporting affairs of a FIFA member nation. Under FIFA regulations, direct government interference in football associations is generally prohibited, and similar actions in the past have resulted in sanctions or suspensions from international competition. While it remains unclear how FIFA will respond, the Gabonese government has indicated that it expects the Gabonese Football Federation to take responsibility for rebuilding the national football structure.

For Gabon, the AFCON exit was particularly disheartening. In addition to the group-stage losses to Cameroon and Mozambique, the team’s collapse against Côte d’Ivoire surrendering a two-goal advantage drew widespread criticism from fans, pundits and political figures alike. This followed the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they lost in a play-off semi-final, highlighting deeper structural weaknesses within the football programme.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 36, returned to his club Olympique Marseille for treatment during Gabon’s final group match due to a thigh injury and did not feature in that game. Despite his absence, the government included him among those held accountable for the team’s shortcomings. A former African Footballer of the Year, Aubameyang has been a central figure in Gabonese football for more than a decade, and his exclusion represents a significant turning point for the national side.

Similarly, Bruno Ecuele Manga, a veteran defender with over 100 international caps, is also expected to see his international career come to an end amid the government-led purge. For many Gabonese supporters, both players have long been symbols of national pride. However, the country’s leadership has argued that radical steps are necessary to restore competitiveness, discipline and accountability within the team.

The suspension of the Gabon national team raises broader questions about the balance between political authority and sporting autonomy. While the government’s frustration is understandable following a prolonged period of poor results, critics argue that footballing decisions should remain the responsibility of sporting administrators rather than political officials. Attention will now turn to whether FIFA intervenes and how Gabon’s football authorities navigate this unprecedented phase of reconstruction.