Gabon in ruins: government suspends national team, Auba and Manga banned, coach sacked!
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 01.01.26. | 18:20
Three defeats, dressing-room chaos and a controversial intervention mark a brutal farewell for the Panthers' golden generation in Morocco
Gabon arrived in Morocco hoping to soften the national disappointment after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Instead, the Panthers only deepened the wounds - and signed off their golden generation in humiliating fashion.
Drawn alongside Cameroon, Mozambique and holders Ivory Coast, Gabon finished bottom of their AFCON group with three defeats. A narrow 1-0 loss to Cameroon was followed by a dramatic 3-2 setback against Mozambique, before another 3-2 defeat to the Ivory Coast - a match in which Gabon had led 2-0 inside the opening 20 minutes.
Storm clouds gathered early. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the greatest player in Gabonese football history, left the squad after the second game, officially due to injury. Captain Bruno Ecuele Manga was then dropped entirely for the decisive clash, spending the full match on the bench.
The fallout was immediate and unprecedented. On the very first day of 2026, Gabon's government issued an official statement announcing the dismissal of head coach Thierry Mouyouma and the suspension of Aubameyang and Manga due to "unmet expectations and indiscipline."
"Our national identity has been weakened," read the statement signed by President Brice Oligui Nguema. "Structural flaws, lack of methodology and wasted resources are reflected within the national team."
The Morocco tournament is almost certain to be the final chapter for Aubameyang and Manga in Gabon colours, and possibly for Guelor Kanga as well. If so, there was at least one final moment of dignity: Kanga scored in what may prove to be his last appearance for the Panthers. A generation is over. And Gabon must start again, from the wreckage.
Gabon’s government has suspended the national team until further notice after a “disgraceful performance” at the 2025 AFCON, where they exited in the group stage.
— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) January 1, 2026
Captain Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have also been banned from representing the Panthers. pic.twitter.com/DLDkggE758
AFCON 2025 - ROUND OF 16
Saturday
19.00: (1.17) Senegal (7.25) Sudan (17.0)
22.00: (3.10) Mali (2.80) Tunisia (2.70)
Sunday
19.00: (1.15) Morocco (8.50) Tanzania (25.0)
22.00: (3.25) South Africa (3.15) Cameroon (2.50)
Monday
19.00: (1.48) Egypt (4.10) Benin (7.50)
22.00: (1.40) Nigeria (4.50) Mozambique (8.50)
Tuesday
19.00: (2.00) Algeria (3.35) DR Congo (4.00)
22.00: (1.90) Ivory Coast (3.40) Burkina Faso (4.30)
***odds are subject to change***
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