Aubameyang says treatment after AFCON exit led to Gabon decision

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced that he will step away from the Gabon national team, saying the way he was treated by officials after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was the decisive factor.

The 37-year-old captain was left out of the squad after Gabon’s disappointing campaign in Morocco, although he was later brought back into the team. Aubameyang said the handling of that process had convinced him that he no longer wanted to continue representing his country.

“They insulted me and tarnished my image, even though I played in the Africa Cup of Nations while injured. That was the final straw, and I would rather stop here,” Aubameyang said in a television interview highlighted by French broadcaster RMC.

His announcement comes shortly before Gabon’s meeting with Morocco on 23 September, in the opening round of Group A in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Aubameyang, Gabon’s all-time leading goalscorer, has been unhappy after being held partly responsible for the national team’s failure at the 2025 tournament.

Gabon were eliminated in the group stage after losing all three of their matches. Their final defeat was a 3-2 loss to Cote d’Ivoire.

Following that campaign, Gabonese president Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema said the results had weakened part of the country’s national identity. The government subsequently took a series of measures, including dissolving the coaching staff and suspending the national team’s activities until further notice.

Aubameyang and fellow experienced defender Bruno Ecuele Manga, who is 38, were also excluded from the squad.

The decision to remove the two veteran players angered many Gabon supporters. Aubameyang responded at the time by saying: “I believe the team’s problems are much deeper than my humble self.”

His latest decision leaves new Gabon manager Sebastien Migne facing the challenge of preparing the team without its long-serving captain as the side begins its next qualifying campaign.

Gabon missed out on the 2026 World Cup and will now focus on securing a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament is due to be held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July.

Aubameyang is also beginning a new chapter at club level in Europe. The Gabon striker left Olympique de Marseille for the second time and joined Deportivo La Coruna, who have returned to Spain’s top flight after a long absence.

He has already scored three goals for his new club at the start of his spell in Spain.

His departure from international football means Migne must move forward without a player who has been central to Gabon’s attack and leadership for many years, with the Morocco fixture providing the first major test of the team’s new direction.