Gabon’s government has taken sweeping action against its national football setup following what it described as a disgraceful outing at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, dissolving the technical staff, suspending the national team, and sidelining senior players including captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
In an official statement issued in Libreville on January 1, 2026, authorities said the Panthers’ performance fell far below national expectations and ran counter to the values of ethics, discipline, and exemplary conduct promoted by the Fifth Republic. The statement cited “multiple negative effects” associated with the team’s conduct and results, prompting decisive government intervention.
As part of the measures announced, the government ordered the immediate dissolution of the national team’s technical staff, effectively ending the current coaching setup. It also suspended the Gabonese national team from all activities until further notice, an unprecedented move that places the future of the Panthers in uncertainty.
In addition, two senior players, Bruno Ecuélé Manga and star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, were formally sidelined. While the statement did not outline specific individual offenses, their exclusion signals deep dissatisfaction with leadership and accountability within the squad.
The government further called on the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) to “assume all its responsibilities,” a clear warning that football authorities will be held accountable for structural failures that contributed to the AFCON collapse. Observers see this as a strong push for reforms within Gabonese football governance, from technical planning to player management and discipline.
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The statement concluded with an appeal for national solidarity and civic commitment, stressing the need to prevent actions that could negatively influence young people and undermine public confidence in national institutions.
