Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his teammates suffered a humiliating defeat at the Africa Cup of Nations. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

Africa Cup fiasco: Entire national team suspended

Following the Gabonese national football team's elimination in the preliminary round of the Africa Cup, the government of the Central African country has provisionally suspended the entire team.

01 January 2026

From: dpa

Communications Minister Simlicee-Désiré Mamboula announced that the government had also decided to disband the coaching staff and dismiss players Bruno Ecuélé Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the team. The team had delivered a "disgraceful performance" at the tournament in Morocco.

Reports indicate that President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had already warned before this decision that the national team's performance was damaging the country's national pride. Gabon had recently failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Aubameyang left early

Gabon was eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations without winning a single point in the preliminary round, finishing last in its group after three defeats in three games against Mozambique, Cameroon and Ivory Coast.

Exceptional striker Aubameyang returned to his French club Olympique Marseille after just two matches, despite being injured, in consultation with the federation. At the age of 36, this could mean the end of his international career.