The Gabonese government has announced it is taking control of the national football team following their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations. The team’s poor performance in the tournament, where they failed to win a single game, has sparked a crisis in the country. Despite leading Côte d’Ivoire 2-0 in their final match, Gabon was unable to secure a win, leading to their exit from the competition.
This disappointing outcome comes on the heels of the team’s failure to qualify for next year’s World Cup. In response, Gabon’s interim minister of sport announced the suspension of the team on national television, citing the need for reform. The minister also reportedly sacked team captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and player Bruno Ecuélé Manga, although no mention was made of coach Thierry Mouyouma.
However, the announcement was later removed from social media channels, and no official statement was published on the government website, fueling speculation that the move may contravene FIFA’s rules against political interference in football. Prior to the team’s final group game, Gabon’s president, Brice Oligui Nguema, had criticized the team’s performance, attributing their struggles to a “lack of method and the application of resources.”
Nguema expressed concern over a “worrying erosion of patriotic sentiment in the management of sporting affairs,” according to local broadcaster Gabon 24. In response to the criticism, Aubameyang took to social media to defend himself, suggesting that the team’s problems run deeper than individual players. The development has significant implications for the future of Gabonese football, with the government’s intervention likely to be closely watched by FIFA and other stakeholders. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the team will be restructured and what consequences this will have for the players and coaching staff involved.
