The Gabonese government has suspended the national football team, dismissed the technical staff, and ruled out captain Pierre‑Émerick Aubameyang and defender Bruno Ecuelé Manga from future selection. These measures follow Gabon’s elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after three successive group defeats, including a collapse from 2‑0 against Ivory Coast to lose 3‑2. The government described the performance as “dishonourable” and convened the drastic actions via a televised announcement by Sports Minister Simplice‑Désiré Mamboula on January 1, 2026.([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47472240/gabon-government-suspends-national-team-axe-aubameyang-afcon-calamity?utm_source=openai))