The Gabon government has suspended the men's national team, banning talismanic striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from selection, and sacking the entire backroom staff following their group stage exit at AFCON 2025.
Following a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their campaign opener, Aubameyang and Co. fell 3-2 against Mozambique to get eliminated from the 24-team AFCON Finals in Morocco.
Things got even worse as the Panthers fell to a third group defeat, squandering a two-goal lead to go down 3-2 to group winners and defending champions Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday (December 31) to finish with the wooden spoon in Group F.
As reported by ESPN, the country's government reacted strongly to the team's 'dishonourable' performance at the AFCON. In a television briefing, Simplice-Desire Mamboula, Gabon's Minister of Sports read out:
"Considering the multifaceted effects, which are the antithesis of the ethical and exemplary values advocated by the Fifth Republic, the government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang."
It's pertinent to note that government interventions aren't allowed in a country's football association affairs under FIFA rules, so there could be consequences for FEGAFOOT (Gabon's football association) and the national team.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang creates history as Gabon crash out of AFCON 2025
Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has had a successful career with the Gabon national team, scoring 41 times in 84 games across competitions. The last of those goals - coming in the 3-2 defeat to Mozambique put the former Arsenal man into the record books.
The Panthers fell two goals behind before Aubameyang reduced arrears in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time. It made the Marseille striker the second oldest player to score in AFCON history, behind only Egypt's Hossam Hassan, with the 39-year-old also etching his name in the record books at this year's tournament.
Going back to the aforementioned game, Mozambique restored their two-goal lead early in the second period. Even though Gabon pulled one back through Alex Moucketou-Moussounda, it wasn't enough to stave off defeat and early elimination from AFCON 2025.
Aubameyang picked up a thigh injury in the defeat to Mozambique and returned to France, with developments on Wednesday suggesting he might have played his last for the national team.