Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been suspended by Gabon after a disastrous African Cup of Nations campaign ended in his early return home to France
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang attends a training session
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang endured a miserable time with Gabon at AFCON
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been suspended by the Gabon government after the nation’s disastrous African Nations Cup campaign. And the public row brings back memories of the former Arsenal captain’s acrimonious departure from the North London club in 2022.
The Marseille striker, now 36, arrived late in Morocco because of a thigh strain - and then returned to France after only two games when the West African country was already eliminated. Gabon lost their third group game to the Ivory Coast on Wednesday night.
Sports Minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula then went on Gabon Television to announce: "Given the Panthers' disgraceful 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 (captain) Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad."
Just hours after the broadcast, the video clip was deleted from the ministry's website and digital channels.
But Gabon President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had publicly criticised the team after the 3-2 defeat against Mozambique on December 28. He claimed the loss showed "the lack of method and the dispersion of resources" as well as a "worrying erosion of patriotic spirit in the management of sporting affairs."
Marseille's Brazilian forward #14 Igor Paixao celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Marseille's Gabonese forward #97 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marseille's English forward #10 Mason Greenwood during the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 2, football match between Olympique de Marseille (FRA) and AFC Ajax (NED) at the Velodrome stadium, in Marseille on September 30, 2025.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored for Marseille against Newcastle in the Champions League in November
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But the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea forward took to X to claim: "I think the team's problems are much deeper than the small person that I am."
It is not his first public falling out with a team. The Gabon star was a huge fan favourite at Arsenal and scored both goals in the 2020 FA Cup final to give Mikel Arteta his only trophy to date.
But their relationship fell apart after the club captain arrived late for a North London derby in March 2021. After returning late from a sanctioned trip to France later that year, Aubameyang left the club by “mutual agreement” in February 2022 and joined Barcelona.
Cameroon's midfielder #15 Arthur Avom (L) and Cameroon's midfielder #24 Carlos Baleba (R) challenge Gabon's midfielder #17 Andre Poko during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F football match between Cameroon and Gabon at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 24, 2025
Gabon lost their opening Africa Cup of Nations Group F game 1-0 to Cameroon on December 24
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This time, Aubameyang suffered a left thigh strain after playing three games in 10 games and only joined up with the Gabon squad on December 22 - two days before their opening game against Cameroon. But Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma. brought him on after only 33 minutes with his side already a goal down.
Marseille were not happy but Mouyouma hit back: "I am outraged by Marseille's attitude. They pay the player, and during the periods when they use him, they do what they want."
Aubameyang started and scored against Mozambique but Gabon lost 3-2. In the dressing room at half-time, L’Equipe reported that he criticised the attitude of his team-mates. And on the pitch, he shouted in frustration: "One cross, just one cross" and told Mexer to shut up after the Mozambique defender gestured for him to be quiet.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang enjoys a good relationship with his Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang enjoys a good relationship with his Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi
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After the game, Aubameyang then left to return to Marseille - where he has a good relationship with former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi - with Mouyouma claiming: "Since his arrival, we had been following a protocol established with his club, Olympique de Marseille. Once Gabon had nothing left to play for in terms of results and qualification, we reached an agreement with his club to release him back so he could continue his treatment."
The Gabon coach added: "It's important to remember that Pierre-Emerick was determined, very strong. He played a match and a half with this pain, and he had the desire and the will to represent his country. His heart wanted it, his soul wanted it. But his body couldn't. That's the reality."
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