The Gabon national team is suspended until further notice; the players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga have been banned from the national team, and the coaching staff has been disbanded.
That was the message in a statement read out on New Year's Day by Gabon's Minister of Sports Simplice-Desire Mamboula on national television.
Despite an early 2-0 lead, Gabon lost their New Year's Eve match against Ivory Coast 2-3. Gabon, who had previously lost to Cameroon and Mozambique in the African Championships, finished last in the group with zero points.
36-year-old star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, formerly of Arsenal and Barcelona, played in the first two matches. He then left the squad and went home to Marseille to treat a thigh injury. 37-year-old defender Ecuele Manga also did not play in the match against Ivory Coast.
The statements from the Gabonese government may have consequences because the international football federation, FIFA, prohibits state interference in national associations.
