The Gabonese government has suspended the country’s national football team following a disappointing showing at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Youth and Sport announced that the entire squad has been barred from international football activities until further notice.
The ministry also ruled that former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and team captain Bruce Ecuele Manga will not be eligible for national team selection for the foreseeable future.
The Panthers endured a winless campaign, finishing bottom of Group F. They opened with a 1–0 defeat to Cameroon before suffering a 3–2 loss to Mozambique, which effectively ended their hopes of progression.
Gabon then produced a spirited display against Ivory Coast, racing into a 2–0 lead before eventually losing 3–2 in their final group match.
It marked the sixth time in nine Africa Cup of Nations appearances that Gabon has failed to advance beyond the group stage.
Similar exits occurred in 1994, 2000, 2010, 2015 and 2017, the latter tournament seeing Gabon become the fourth host nation to be eliminated at the group phase.
Attention will now turn to Fifa’s response to the government’s decision, given the world governing body’s strict stance against state interference in football administration.
