By Rosemary Ugiomoh
The Gabonese government’s drastic decision to dissolve the national team, dismiss the coaching staff,
and ban star players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and 
Ecuélé Mangastems from their dismal performance at AFCON 2025.
The team suffered three consecutive defeats, finishing last in Group F without a single point.
Their campaign was marked by disappointing losses to Cameroon, Mozambique, and Ivory Coast, with the latter game seeing Gabon squander a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2. Acting Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula described the team’s performance as “disgraceful” and stated that the government’s decision aimed to restore the country’s football reputation.
Aubameyang, who had returned to Marseille due to injury, responded on social media, saying the team’s problems run deeper than individual players. The government’s intervention may attract FIFA sanctions, as it violates rules against government interference in football associations.
