Gabon excludes Aubameyang and suspends Panthers squad after poor Africa Cup of Nations exit.

In an unprecedented step, the Gabonese government have declared the immediate suspension of the men's national football team, the sacking of the team's coaches, and the removal of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the team.

This radical decision comes after the team's last-place finish at the continental championship in Morocco, where they were defeated in every game.

“In light of the Panthers’ shameful display at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dismiss the coaching staff, freeze the national team indefinitely, and remove players the two veteran players,” stated acting sports minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula.

Group Stage of Disappointment

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

In their final outing, the Panthers surprisingly led over defending champions Côte d’Ivoire before letting in three scores to a changed Ivorian lineup, eventually losing 3-2 defeat in Marrakech.

Veteran Players Not Involved

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

The former African Footballer of the Year Aubameyang had returned to his club, Marseille, for recovery from a muscle issue.

Answering to the measures on a social platform, Aubameyang suggested the issues ran beyond any single player: “I think the team’s problems are far more profound than the player I am.”

At 36 and thirty-seven years old respectively, the loss to Mozambique probably was the last match for both Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga.

A Drastic Step in Contemporary Soccer

Suspending a country's squad was formerly a typical measure in Africa to poor performances.

However, since FIFA, football’s world authority, has adopted a firm position against political meddling in the sport's administration, such moves have become far less common in recent years.