Gabon’s national football team has officially reinstated star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and defender Bruno Ecuele Manga, following an earlier decision by the Gabonese government to remove them from the squad. The recall comes after a period of significant turmoil surrounding the team’s disappointing performance and subsequent early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Initially, both Aubameyang and Manga were dismissed from the national team roster. This decision followed Gabon’s premature departure from the AFCON competition, where the team failed to advance past the group stages. Gabon suffered a challenging campaign in Group B, losing all three of their matches: 1-0 against Cameroon, 1-0 to Mozambique, and a 3-2 defeat against Ivory Coast. This poor showing led to the team being one of the first nations relegated from the group stages.
In the immediate aftermath of their AFCON elimination, both players promptly returned to their respective European clubs—Aubameyang to Olympique de Marseille and Manga to Paris 13 Atletico. Their swift departure was reportedly made under the pretext of treating muscle injuries. However, this move was met with a strong reaction from the government, which initially decided to permanently remove both players from the national team and even announced the dissolution of the entire squad. The national team’s coach, Thierry Mouyouma, along with his entire coaching staff, was also terminated following the poor results.
However, a significant reversal was announced by the Gabonese Football Federation on January 13. The Federation confirmed that the government had reconsidered its position, opting against the dissolution of the national team. Instead, it decided to summon Aubameyang and Manga back to the squad. While the players faced disciplinary action, reportedly receiving fines, the termination of Coach Mouyouma and his staff remains in effect.
Looking ahead, the Gabonese Football Federation also announced the appointment of a new Sports Minister, Paul Ulrich Kessany. Minister Kessany’s primary task will be to address the existing challenges within the national team and to meticulously prepare the squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup qualifiers, aiming for a stronger performance in future international competitions.
