- Gabon government lifts sanctions on national team & striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after early AFCON 2025 exit in Morocco.
- A statement released by the Gabon FA on Monday, January 12, also confirmed the lifting of defender Bruno Ecuele Manga’s suspension.
Gabon’s football association has announced that government sanctions against the national team and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been revoked following their early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
Gabon lost all their Group F matches against Cameroon, Mozambique, and title holders Ivory Coast in Morocco, before the Sports Minister declared on television the suspension of the national team, captain Aubameyang, and defender Bruno Ecuele Manga.
However, Gabon’s new Sports Minister, Paul Ulrich Kessany, has overturned the measures, which could have led to the suspension of the FA.
World football’s governing body, FIFA, maintains a firm stance against government interference in the administration of football associations.
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Gabon government lifts sanctions on national team & striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
A statement released by the Gabon FA on Monday, January 12, also confirmed the lifting of Bruno Ecuele Manga’s suspension.
“The government measures suspending the national team have been lifted, as well as the exclusion of players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga following the unsatisfactory results of the national team at the Africa Cup of Nations,” the Gabon FA said in a statement on Monday.
“The Minister of Sports, Paul Ulrich Kessany, highlighted the urgency of upcoming deadlines, notably the draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations,” it added.
Why the Gabon national team was suspended
Gabon finished at the bottom of their group in Morocco after earlier defeats to Cameroon and Mozambique performances which the former Sports Minister, Simplice-Desire Mamboula, described as “disgraceful.”
He stated: “Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team indefinitely, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.”
Gabon, whose elimination from the tournament was confirmed before facing Ivory Coast, surrendered a two-goal lead in Marrakech.
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Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Aubameyang did not feature in the final group game after returning to Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury.
He remarked: “I think the team’s problems run much deeper than the individual I am.”
Mouyouma was in charge for just over two years.
It was once common for African governments to disband national teams after disappointing results, but such actions have become less frequent since FIFA intensified its regulations against government interference.
