Gabon Dissolves National Football Team Following AFCON Exit, Bans Star Player Aubameyang

In a dramatic response to Gabon's early elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the government has taken severe disciplinary action against its national football team. Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula announced the immediate suspension of the squad, dismissal of coach Thierry Mouyouma, and a ban on star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Disastrous Tournament Performance

The decision follows Gabon's 3-2 defeat to Ivory Coast on December 31, which cemented their last-place finish in Group C. The Panthers had previously suffered losses to both Cameroon and Mozambique, with Mamboula condemning the team's performances as "disgraceful" in an official statement.

"Given the Panthers' shameful AFCON showing, we've dissolved the coaching staff, suspended the national team indefinitely, and excluded players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang," Mamboula declared.

Aubameyang's Controversial Absence

The former Arsenal and Chelsea forward, who holds Gabon's scoring record with 40 international goals, missed the decisive match against Ivory Coast after returning to Marseille for thigh injury treatment. Aubameyang responded to the ban by stating: "The team's issues run much deeper than my individual role."

Historical Context and Consequences

Coach Mouyouma's two-year tenure ended abruptly with this decision, which revives a controversial practice in African football. While governments previously frequently disbanded underperforming national teams, such interventions have become rarer since FIFA tightened rules against political interference in football affairs.

The suspension leaves Gabon's football future uncertain as authorities reassess the national program following one of their most disappointing tournament showings in recent history.