On Thursday, it was announced that “activities of the Gabonese national football team are suspended until further notice,” in addition to the “dissolution of the team’s technical staff.” This decision came just hours after the team’s 2-3 loss to Côte d’Ivoire in the Africa Cup of Nations, currently being held in Morocco.
It was stated that this decision became inevitable considering the manner in which the match unfolded, which ended in a 2-3 defeat.
This was the Gabonese national team’s third loss in the group stage, which is considered far too many.
The government demanded that the Gabonese Football Federation take responsibility and announced the exclusion of two key players from the national team.
This announcement followed a statement made last Monday, which indicated that “decisive decisions” would be taken when the time comes to put an end to the management of national sports, which has faced public criticism for some time and had itself been analyzed.
Gabonese national football team
The Gabonese national football team, nicknamed “Les Panthères,” represents Gabon in international football and is governed by the Gabonese Football Federation. Founded in 1962, the team gained notable recognition by co-hosting the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the tournament several times, with iconic players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang elevating its profile.
Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire, also known as Ivory Coast, is a West African nation with a rich history as a pre-colonial kingdom and a major hub in the French colonial empire, gaining independence in 1960. It is renowned for its cultural diversity, manifest in music genres like *coupé-décalé* and *zouglou*, and for its historical role as a leading global producer of cocoa and coffee.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first held in 1957. It was founded to unite African nations emerging from colonialism and is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament is held every two years and has grown to feature 24 national teams competing for the continental title.
Morocco
Morocco is a North African country with a rich history shaped by indigenous Amazigh (Berber) cultures, Arab influence from the 7th century, and successive dynasties like the Almoravids and Almohads. Its cultural sites, such as the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the historic medinas of Fez and Marrakech, reflect this diverse heritage and its role as a crossroads of civilizations.
Gabonese Football Federation
The Gabonese Football Federation (Fédération Gabonaise de Football) is the governing body for football in Gabon, founded in 1962. It organizes national competitions and oversees the national teams, with its history marked by Gabon’s co-hosting of the 2012 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
