Gabon Faces Major Overhaul After Disappointing AFCON Campaign

Gabon has experienced a dismal campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), suffering defeats in all three of their matches. The Panthers lost their opening match 1-0 to Cameroon, followed by a gripping 3-2 loss to Mozambique. Their final game concluded with another 3-2 defeat against the Ivory Coast, which was sealed by an injury-time goal from Bazoumana Toure. In the aftermath, the Gabonese government has announced the termination of head coach Thierry Mouyouma’s contract and confirmed the exclusion of star player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga from the squad.

Thierry Mouyouma, who was only the second manager to lead Gabon to the AFCON, implemented a high-pressing, intense style of play that had previously yielded success during qualification. However, the tournament showcased defensive vulnerabilities, preventing Gabon from converting their pressing strategy into victories.

Throughout the tournament, Mouyouma and Aubameyang were frequently in the headlines due to questions over the latter’s fitness. The manager expressed frustration, stating, “This contempt must stop. We are playing in an Africa Cup of Nations, not a recovery camp. The player was tested, examined, and cleared by our medical staff and by the CAF medical commission. During FIFA dates, players belong to their countries. I simply ask for respect for our work, our decisions, and our ambitions.”

In an address made a day after the defeat to the Ivory Coast, Gabon’s acting sports minister, Simplice-Desire Mamboula, declared, “Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Total Energies Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and considering the multifaceted effects that contradict the values of ethics and exemplarity promoted by the Fifth Republic, the Government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and remove players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the team. Furthermore, the Government calls on the Gabonese Football Federation to assume all responsibilities.”

In response, Aubameyang, who scored in the match against Mozambique, stated that the team’s issues “are much deeper than the individual I am,” after missing the game against the Ivory Coast due to injury.

Historically, Gabon has never won the AFCON and has only advanced beyond the quarter-finals on two occasions, reaching the last eight in 1996 and 2012, the latter as hosts. Aubameyang’s exclusion may signal the end of his lengthy international career, having earned 49 caps and scored 28 goals from 2009 to 2025. Similarly, Ecuele Manga, who boasts 118 caps and has played for clubs such as Cardiff City and Lorient, is now 37 years old.

Currently, Gabon’s national team is suspended. They had aspirations of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after finishing second in their qualifying group but were eliminated in the play-offs by Nigeria, losing 4-1. It remains uncertain when the national team will be reassembled, as FIFA typically adopts a stringent approach against nations disbanding their teams, a practice that has become increasingly rare in African football.