Gabon excludes Aubameyang and disbands Panthers squad after disappointing Afcon campaign.

In a decisive move, the Gabonese government have announced the temporary dissolution of the Panthers squad, the sacking of the coaching staff, and the removal of veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad.

This severe measure comes following the team's early elimination at the Afcon tournament in Morocco, where they were defeated in every game.

“Considering the Panthers’ disgraceful display at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dismiss the coaching staff, freeze the national team indefinitely, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” stated acting sports minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula.

A Campaign of Disappointment

Coached by ex-player Thierry Mouyouma, Gabon had already been eliminated after losing their initial matches of Group F fixtures to Cameroon and Mozambique.

In their final outing, the Panthers surprisingly led over defending champions Côte d’Ivoire before letting in three scores to a second-string Ivorian lineup, eventually losing 3-2 defeat in Marrakech.

Veteran Players Missing

Both Aubameyang and the experienced centre-back Bruno Ecuele Manga took part in the last game.

The ex-continental player of the year Aubameyang had rejoined his club, Marseille, for recovery from a leg problem.

Answering to the announcement on social media, Aubameyang suggested the problems ran beyond any individual: “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the player I am.”

At thirty-six and 37 years old respectively, the defeat by Mozambique likely marked the concluding match for the two veterans, Ecuele Manga.

An Uncommon Action in Contemporary Soccer

Dissolving a national team was previously a frequent response in Africa to disappointing results.

However, since FIFA, football’s world authority, has adopted a firm position against state intervention in soccer federations, such moves have become increasingly rare in recent years.