Gabon Sack Aubameyang

Why Did Gabon Sack Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga from National Team?

Swastik Debnath

Published - Jan 01, 2026, 02:44 PM

3 min

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Summary

Gabon’s national team was suspended by the government after finishing bottom of their AFCON group without a single win, prompting immediate disciplinary action from the Ministry of Sports.
Head coach Thierry Mouyouma was sacked, while senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga were removed following the team’s disappointing performances, including a collapse against Ivory Coast.
The decision to sack Aubameyang, Gabon’s most iconic footballer, has sparked widespread controversy and raised serious questions about the future direction of Gabonese football.

After the national team placed last in its group and was eliminated from the tournament in Morocco, Gabon's Minister of Sports declared on television that the team would be suspended. After losing its first two Group F matches to Cameroon and Mozambique, Gabon, coached by former defender Thierry Mouyouma, had already been eliminated.

Following Gabon's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations without a single victory, the Gabon government suspended the national team, fired coach Thierry Mouyouma and removed captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and defender Ecuele Manga. Now, fans might be wondering why did Gabon sack Aubameyang, who has been making his national team proud.

Why Did Gabon Sack Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga from National Team: Official Update

Aubameyang and seasoned defender Ecuele Manga did not feature in the match on Wednesday. Manga had returned to his French team, Olympique de Marseille, to receive treatment for a thigh injury. Both 37-year-old former Cardiff City defender Ecuele Manga and 36-year-old Aubameyang had probably played their final game for Gabon in the team's loss to Mozambique.

After losing their first two encounters with Cameroon and Mozambique, Gabon, already eliminated from the AFCON Round of 16, played the final Group stage match against Ivory Coast without both Aubameyang and Manga. Former Arsenal player Aubameyang had already left the national team the day before the game against the Ivory Coast to receive treatment at his French club, Olympique de Marseille, for a thigh injury.

Let's take a look at why did Gabon Sack Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga:

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 exclude players Bruno ‌Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Why Did the Gabonese Government Suspend the National Team?

Once a common reaction to subpar performance in Africa, disbanding the national team has become rare since FIFA, the world football governing body, has taken a firm stance against government interference in football association management.

I think the team's problems are much deeper than the individual I am.

The former African Footballer of the Year said in response on X.