Gabon excludes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and suspends national team after poor Afcon campaign.

In a strong reaction, Gabon's authorities have announced the indefinite suspension of the Panthers squad, the sacking of the team's coaches, and the exclusion of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad.

This severe measure comes in the wake of the team's group-stage exit at the continental championship in Morocco, where they were defeated in every game.

“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to terminate 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 first two of Group F fixtures to their group rivals.

In their last match, the Panthers took a two-goal lead over defending champions Côte d’Ivoire before conceding three goals to a rotated Ivorian lineup, falling to a 3-2 defeat in Marrakech.

Key Figures Missing

Both Aubameyang and the experienced centre-back Bruno Ecuele Manga took part in the final match.

The former African Footballer of the Year Aubameyang had returned to his club, Marseille, for treatment on a muscle issue.

Answering to the announcement on his account, Aubameyang implied the challenges ran deeper than any single player: “I think the team’s problems are far more profound than the individual I am.”

At 36 and 37 years old respectively, the defeat by Mozambique probably was the last appearance for the two veterans, Ecuele Manga.

An Uncommon Step in Contemporary Soccer

Suspending a national side was once a common reaction in Africa to poor performances.

However, given that FIFA, football’s global governing body, has taken a hard stance against state intervention in the sport's administration, such moves have become far less common in the modern era.