Gabon has been eliminated from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This has repercussions for the coach and the national team.

Three group matches, three defeats and thus elimination in the preliminary round: Gabon experienced a debacle at the Africa Cup of Nations, which is now moving into the next round off the pitch.

Sports Minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula was unwilling to accept the embarrassment: “In view of the shameful performance of the Panthères, the government has decided to dismiss the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and remove players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad,” he said on Gabonese television (via FAZ). He also emphasized that the team’s performance was “contrary to the ethical values of the country and its role model status.” Gabon lost 0-1 to Cameroon and 2-3 to both Mozambique and Ivory Coast. Particularly sensitive: according to FIFA regulations, politicians are prohibited from making internal decisions in soccer and thus exerting influence. An inglorious end for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in particular made headlines on the Gabonese side. The star of the team left after the second group match when elimination was mathematically inevitable. The former Borussia Dortmund striker, currently under contract with Olympique Marseille, was already considered injured in the opening match, which is why coach Mouyouma defended him. After all, they didn’t want to risk a serious injury.

Aubameyang still got some criticism, so he spoke up on the “X” platform. “I think the team’s problems go way deeper than just me,” he said there.

The striker had already retired after the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations and then made a surprise comeback a year later. After this year’s bombshell, it could mean the end of his international career at the age of 36. With 40 goals in 83 games, Aubameyang is his country’s record goalscorer.