RABAT: Gabon’s government have suspended the national team, dismissed the coaching staff and excluded striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following the country’s winless exit from the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The decision was announced on state television by Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula after Gabon finished bottom of their group and were eliminated from the tournament in Morocco.
“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” Mamboula said following Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat by Ivory Coast in Marrakech.
Coached by former defender Thierry Mouyouma, Gabon had already been knocked out after opening Group F losses to Cameroon and Mozambique. They appeared set to salvage some pride in their final match when they raced into a 2-0 lead against the defending champions, only to concede three goals and lose to a largely second-string Ivorian side.
Neither Aubameyang nor veteran defender Ecuele Manga featured in that match, with Aubameyang having returned to French club Olympique de Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury.
