The crisis is total in Gabon. Pitifully eliminated from the group stage of the 2025 African Cup of Nations with three defeats in three matches, the Panthers left Morocco prematurely at the end of a final disillusionment: a setback suffered against Ivory Coast this Wednesday (3-2) despite a two-goal advantage at the half-hour mark.
Enough to provoke the wrath of the local government and the President of the Republic Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. Late in the night from Wednesday to Thursday, a press release was in fact published by those in power, deciding on measures of rare firmness against the Gabonese selection.
“The government decides to dissolve the technical staff and suspend the national team until further notice, and to sideline the players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” declared the interim Minister of Sports, Dr. Simplice-Désiré Mamboula, according to Gabon24, one of the rare media outlets to have had access to this press release, which was quickly deleted, undoubtedly to avoid breaking the very strict rules laid down by Fifa in subject of political interference in football.
“A part of national identity which is weakened”
A few days ago, the government had already interfered in the sporting crisis experienced by the national team by addressing the issue of the Panthers in the Council of Ministers. “It is a part of the national identity which is weakened,” declared President Oligui Nguema during the December 29 meeting. According to the Head of State, the rout suffered by Mario Lemina and his partners “highlights two major problems which reflect, in reality, persistent structural failings: the absence of method and the dispersion of resources”.
While FEGAFOOT, the Gabonese football federation, has not yet spoken to confirm or deny a possible ouster of coach Thierry Mouyouma, as well as the sidelining of Ecuele Manga, record holder for the number of caps for the Panthers (118) and Aubameyang, top scorer in the history of the selection (40 goals), the Olympique de Marseille striker distinguished himself by responding to a message targeting him on the social network X.
“You might be the problem on this team.”
“I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the little person that I am,” replied the 36-year-old center forward, released by the Gabonese staff even before the last group match against Ivory Coast. “You are perhaps the problem in this team,” an Internet user asked him at half-time of the match against the Elephants, while Gabon led 2 to 1.
“Okay, but do you find it normal that the captain, the leader, the star of the team abandons his teammates in the middle of a competition? Couldn’t wait for your return to Marseille? Hakimi is very injured, and yet he is in the group,” added the X user before Aubameyang cut the exchange short: “Okay, you are actually not focused. Strength,” he concluded.
As a reminder, the Olympian striker started the CAN with a big question mark surrounding his physical condition. Announced forfeit for the inaugural match against Cameroon on December 24, he still came into play despite discomfort “in the back of the left thigh” before starting and scoring in the match against Mozambique, four days later.
Enough to also crystallize criticism in the Marseille city, where managers and supporters feared a relapse from their player.
