Gabon: Government suspends Gabon team, sacks coach and bans Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Gabon’s government has suspended the national team, banned striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and sacked coach Thierry Mouyouma after their exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula announced the measures after the 3-2 defeat by Ivory Coast on 31 December.

Gabon finished bottom of their group in Morocco after earlier losses to Cameroon and Mozambique, performances Mamboula described as “disgraceful”.

He said: “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.”