Government suspends Gabon team, bans Aubameyang and sacks coach

After their exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, the Gabon government has suspended the national team, banned Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and fired coach Thierry Mouyouma.

Following the Ivory Coast’s 3-2 defeat on December 31st, sports minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula announced the plans.

After earlier defeats to Cameroon and Mozambique, which Mamboula described as “disgraceful,” Gabon finished bottom of their group in Morocco.

In Marrakech, Gabon, whose withdrawal from the tournament was confirmed prior to the Ivory Coast game, slipped a two-goal lead.

Aubameyang, a former striker for Arsenal and Chelsea, returned to Marseille to recover from a thigh injury and did not participate in the final group game.

He claimed that the team’s issues are more extensive than the individual I am.

For a little over two years, Mouyouma held the position.