The Gabonese government removes Aubameyang and dissolves Panthers squad after disappointing Afcon exit.

In a decisive move, the Gabonese government have revealed the temporary dissolution of the Panthers squad, the sacking of the team's coaches, and the exclusion of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from national duty.

This radical decision comes following the team's early elimination at the Afcon tournament in Morocco, where they were defeated in every game.

“Given the Panthers’ shameful showing at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, disband the national team until further notice, and exclude players Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga,” said acting sports minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula.

Group Stage of Frustration

Coached by ex-player Thierry Mouyouma, Gabon were already out after suffering defeats in their opening pair of Group F contests to Cameroon and Mozambique.

In their final outing, the Panthers took a two-goal lead over title holders Côte d’Ivoire before letting in three scores to a second-string Ivorian lineup, falling to a 3-2 defeat in Marrakech.

Veteran Players Not Involved

Both Aubameyang and the veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga took part in the Wednesday's contest.

The ex-continental player of the year Aubameyang had returned to his club, Marseille, for recovery from a thigh injury.

Answering to the announcement on his account, Aubameyang stated the problems ran beyond any one person: “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the person I am.”

At thirty-six and thirty-seven years old respectively, the loss to Mozambique likely marked the last appearance for the two veterans, Ecuele Manga.

A Drastic Step in Today's Game

Suspending a country's squad was formerly a typical measure in Africa to disappointing results.

However, as FIFA, football’s world authority, has cracked down against political meddling in football associations, such actions have become increasingly rare in today's football landscape.