Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been suspended by the Gabon government after their disastrous AFCON campaign, with the nation’s team dissolved and manager sacked
The Gabon government have suspended the national football team, sacked the manager and suspended Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad following the nation’s catastrophic African Nations Cup campaign.
Aubameyang, now 36 and playing for Marseille in Ligue 1, turned up late in Morocco due to a thigh injury – before heading back to France after just two matches when the West African nation had already been knocked out. Gabon suffered defeat to the Ivory Coast in their final group fixture on Wednesday evening.
Sports Minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula then appeared on Gabon Television to declare: “Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and remove players (captain) Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad.”
Within hours of the announcement, the footage had been wiped from the ministry’s website and online platforms.
However, Gabon President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had already slammed the side following their 3-2 loss to Mozambique on December 28. He argued the defeat exposed “the lack of method and the dispersion of resources” alongside a “worrying erosion of patriotic spirit in the management of sporting affairs.”
The ex-Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea striker hit back on X, posting: “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the small person that I am.”
This isn’t his first public bust-up with a team. The Gabonese striker was adored by the Arsenal faithful and netted a brace in the 2020 FA Cup final, delivering Mikel Arteta his sole silverware as manager.
However, their relationship crumbled when the club captain turned up late for a North London derby in March 2021. Following his delayed return from an approved trip to France later that year, Aubameyang left the Emirates by “mutual agreement” in February 2022 before moving to Barcelona.
On this occasion, Aubameyang picked up a left thigh injury after featuring in three matches within 10 days and only linked up with the Gabon squad on December 22 – just 48 hours before their tournament opener against Cameroon. Yet Gabon boss Thierry Mouyouma threw him into the action after merely 33 minutes with his team already trailing by a goal.
Marseille were furious, but Mouyouma fired back: “I am outraged by Marseille’s attitude. They pay the player, and during the periods when they use him, they do what they want.”
Aubameyang was named in the starting XI and found the net against Mozambique, though Gabon suffered a 3-2 defeat. At the interval, L’Equipe claimed he slammed his teammates’ approach in the changing room.
On the field, he vented his frustration by shouted: “One cross, just one cross” and told Mexer to pipe down after the Mozambique defender gestured for him to stay quiet.
Following the match, Aubameyang headed back to Marseille – where he shares a good relationship with ex-Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi – with Mouyouma stating: “Since his arrival, we had been following a protocol established with his club, Olympique de Marseille. Once Gabon had nothing left to play for in terms of results and qualification, we reached an agreement with his club to release him back so he could continue his treatment.”
The Gabon coach further commented: “It’s important to remember that Pierre-Emerick was determined, very strong. He played a match and a half with this pain, and he had the desire and the will to represent his country. His heart wanted it, his soul wanted it. But his body couldn’t. That’s the reality.”