After Gabon’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations, the government announced radical measures: the dissolution of the technical staff, the suspension of the national team, and the sidelining of Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Turmoil in Gabon. The country’s Minister of Sports, Simplice-Désiré Mamboula, simply dismissed the entire staff. “Given the disgraceful performance of the Panthers at the Africa Cup of Nations, and considering behaviors that go against our values, the government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and sideline players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Furthermore, the government calls on the Gabonese Football Federation to take responsibility,” the minister stated.
Government Intervention Sparks Controversy
This shock decision, taken after the defeat against Ivory Coast, sparked a major controversy and even led to the removal of the official statement.
Aubameyang, who had already returned to Marseille, denounced deeper issues within the team, while tensions between the national squad, the player, and OM were already high. “I think the team’s problems go far beyond the small person that I am,” the striker said on social media.
The direct intervention of the government could now trigger a reaction from FIFA, which traditionally opposes any form of political interference.
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