Gabon National Football Team Suspended Following Disappointing AFCON Exit

Gabon’s government has announced sweeping changes to its national football setup following the team’s dismal performance in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The measures include suspending the national team, dismissing head coach Thierry Mouyouma, and imposing a ban on star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The decision was conveyed by Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula after Gabon’s early exit from the tournament, culminating in a 3-2 loss to the Ivory Coast on December 31. With this defeat, Gabon finished at the bottom of their group in Morocco, having suffered earlier losses to Cameroon and Mozambique. Minister Mamboula characterized the team’s performances as “disgraceful,” highlighting a pressing need for accountability within the nation’s football framework.

Aubameyang, who was sidelined for the last match due to a thigh injury, has expressed his disappointment but refrained from taking personal responsibility for the team’s failures. “The issues we faced were systemic; it’s not just about one player,” he remarked, indicating that the problems within Gabonese football extend beyond individual performances.

Mouyouma’s tenure, which lasted just over two years, is now a topic of scrutiny. Under his leadership, Gabon struggled to make headways, ultimately being one of three teams—including Botswana and Equatorial Guinea—eliminated from AFCON without earning a single point. The abrupt end to the tournament has reignited calls for reform within the Gabon Football Federation as the nation looks to rebuild its competitive stature on the continental stage.

• Early exit from AFCON: Gabon finished bottom of their group.
• Disgraceful performances against Cameroon and Mozambique.
• Coach Mouyouma dismissed after only two years.
• Aubameyang banned despite being a key figure for the team.
• Calls for systemic reform in Gabonese football.

The dismissal of Mouyouma and the ban on Aubameyang mark a significant shake-up in Gabonese football. Observers are keen to see what measures will be implemented to address the underlying issues contributing to the national team’s underperformance. As the nation seeks to reclaim its footballing identity, the road ahead may require a concerted effort from both the players and the governing bodies.

In the meantime, the Gabonese public is left grappling with the fallout from a disappointing AFCON campaign, one that has amplified discussions about the future of football in the country. The government’s decisive actions serve as a stark reminder of the high expectations placed upon the national squad, particularly when it competes on such a prestigious platform as the Africa Cup of Nations.

By Newsroom
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.