Gabon’s painful Africa Cup of Nations campaign ended not only with an early exit but with sweeping consequences, as the government moved swiftly to dissolve the national team’s technical staff and suspend the senior men’s side indefinitely.
Dr. Simplice-Désiré Mamboula, the acting Minister of Sports, stated: ”The government has decided to dissolve the technical staff and suspend the national team until further notice.
The drastic decision followed a winless run that left the Panthers among the tournament’s early casualties and intensified concerns over the state of football in the country.
The Panthers’ troubles surfaced from the outset in Group F. An opening defeat to Cameroon set a negative tone and immediately placed the team under pressure.
Hopes of recovery faded further after a second loss to Mozambique, a result that left Gabon needing a strong response in their final group match to salvage pride and avoid a disappointing finish.
That response briefly appeared to materialise against Côte d’Ivoire. Gabon surged into a 2–0 lead, showing attacking intent and resilience that had been missing earlier in the tournament. For a moment, the Panthers looked set to end their campaign on a positive note.
However, the Ivorians mounted a powerful comeback, scoring three unanswered goals to turn the match on its head and seal a 3–2 victory. The collapse confirmed Gabon’s elimination with a record of three matches played and no wins.
The fallout was immediate and severe. In a clear signal of dissatisfaction, the Gabonese authorities opted to dissolve the entire technical setup and suspend the national team until further notice.
The move reflects frustration not only with results on the pitch but also with broader concerns about planning, leadership, and accountability within the national football structure.
