In addition to dismissing the entire coaching staff, two of the main names in the squad were removed: striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and defender Bruno Ecuele Manga
Na’s early elimination provoked a harsh reaction from the country’s government, which decided to suspend the national team indefinitely, dismiss the entire coaching staff and remove two of the main names from the squad: striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and defender Bruno Ecuele Manga. The decision was announced this Thursday by the interim Minister of Sport and Youth, Simplice Désiré Mamboula, after the winless campaign in the continental tournament.
Gabon ended its participation in the group stage, with three defeats in three matches, without gaining points. According to the government, the team’s performance fell far short of expectations and exposed structural problems in the command of national football. In addition to the suspension of the team’s activities, the immediate dissolution of the technical committee was determined, in an attempt to reevaluate the direction of the country’s sporting project.
The departure of Aubameyang, the main technical reference and biggest name in the history of Gabonese football, drew attention. At 36 years old, the Olympique de Marseille striker participated in just two games in the competition and scored one goal. Defender Bruno Ecuele Manga, who also played in the first two matches, lost his captain’s armband during the tournament.
The crisis took on political contours after demonstrations by the president of Gabon, Brice Oligui, who publicly criticized the conduct of football in the country. For the head of state, the elimination reflected a “lack of method” and a management marked by the dispersion of resources, in addition to what he classified as a weakening of institutional commitment to the selection.
Aubameyang left camp before the final round of the group stage and returned to France. Speaking on social media, the attacker reacted to the criticism and stated that the team’s problems go beyond his presence. The government, however, maintained its decision to remove him, signaling a deep rupture in the leadership of Gabonese football after the failure in the continental tournament.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
