The Gabon National Team, for which Galatasaray player Mario Lemina plays, was suspended indefinitely by the government after being eliminated in the group stage of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to the news in The Athletic, the Gabon government described the performance in the tournament as “shameful” and comprehensive sanctions were imposed on the national team. Star football player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who plays for Marseille, and national team captain Bruno Ecuele Manga were banned from the national team. Additionally, the technical team was completely disbanded and the activities of the Gabon National Team were suspended until further notice.
Gabon finished last in AFCON Group F with no points. Even though he was ahead 2-0 against Ivory Coast in his last match, he left the field losing 3-2. Coming back with Jean-Phillippe Krasso’s goal in the 44th minute, Ivory Coast achieved victory with the goals of Evan Guessand and Bazoumana Traore in the last 10 minutes.
In the official statement read by the government on national television, it was stated that Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga were “removed” from the national team. Ecuele Manga, the player with the most appearances in Gabon history with 105 matches, played in the first two matches of the tournament but was not included in the squad in the last match. Although Aubameyang, the top scorer in the country’s history with 41 goals, scored a goal in the Mozambique match, he was excluded from the squad in the Ivory Coast match, citing his injury.
Gabon Coach Thierry Mayouma will also leave his post after the government’s decision to “terminate the technical team”. The statement also called on the Gabon Football Federation to assume full responsibility for the process.