Sports
Gabon Suspends National Team, Bans Aubameyang After AFCON Collapse
The Gabonese government has taken sweeping disciplinary action against the country’s national football setup following a disastrous outing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, announcing the suspension of the Panthers, the dismissal of the coaching crew, and sanctions against senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga.
The decision was made public by Gabon’s Minister of Sports, Simplice-Desire Mamboula, after the team concluded the tournament with three straight defeats, finishing bottom of Group F behind Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mozambique. Gabon’s campaign ended with a dramatic 3–2 loss to defending champions Ivory Coast on Wednesday, sealed by a stoppage-time goal.
Addressing the nation on state television, the minister described the team’s performance as unacceptable and announced the immediate dissolution of the technical staff, the suspension of the national team until further notice, and the exclusion of Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga from national duty. Although the broadcast clip was briefly removed from official platforms, it was later reposted, confirming the government’s position.
The team’s poor showing had already drawn criticism at the highest level of government. After an earlier 3–2 defeat to Mozambique, which mathematically eliminated Gabon from the competition, the Council of Ministers reportedly reviewed the team’s performance. Following that loss, Aubameyang returned to his club side, Marseille, citing a thigh injury.
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema weighed in on the situation, describing the AFCON failure as a blow to national pride. He identified deep-rooted issues within the football system, including poor organisation and inefficient use of resources, and pledged far-reaching reforms to restore discipline, accountability and ambition in Gabonese sports administration.
However, the government’s decisive intervention could attract scrutiny from world football governing body FIFA, whose statutes prohibit political interference in the internal affairs of national football associations.
The Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) has announced a nationwide verification and revalidation of coaching certificates as part of efforts to improve professional standards and eliminate unqualified practitioners from the sector.
The disclosure was made on Monday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) to the NIS headquarters. The Director-General said the institute has updated its database and will commence a comprehensive verification exercise aimed at removing individuals falsely claiming NIS certification.
He identified a wide skills deficit in sports coaching across the country, noting that a large percentage of those currently working as coaches in schools and institutions lack proper certification.
“The coaching gaps in this country run into millions. In many primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, those referred to as coaches are not trained professionals. Over 60 to 70 per cent are not certified because, for a long time, the institute was not functioning as it should,” he said.
According to him, the new programme will require all holders of NIS certificates to undergo verification, ensuring the credibility of the institute’s records and making it easier for employers to confirm the authenticity of qualified coaches.
The Director-General also assured the ASURI delegation that research would be central to addressing the challenges facing the institute. He acknowledged that the NIS had declined significantly in recent years but expressed confidence that strategic leadership and evidence-based reforms would restore its standing, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to reposition the institute.
He added that the reforms align with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to leverage sports for national cohesion, youth empowerment and economic diversification, stressing that a fully functional NIS is critical to achieving those objectives.
Speaking on behalf of ASURI, the union’s Secretary General, Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, congratulated Philip Shaibu on his appointment as Director-General and expressed optimism that his political and sports background would contribute positively to the institute’s revival. He pledged ASURI’s support toward repositioning the NIS as a leading centre for sports research and development.
The ASURI delegation was led by its National President, Dr. Kasim Izebe, and included Comrade Toye Fawole and Comrade Nosakhare Ogbomo.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations drew the curtain on a thrilling and emotionally charged tournament, with Senegal emerging as champions and the competition’s finest performers duly recognised through the official awards.
AFCON 2025 delivered a rich mix of drama, controversy, record-setting moments and outstanding individual brilliance, keeping fans across Africa and beyond gripped from kickoff to the final whistle. As celebrations spread across the continent, attention has turned to the players and teams who defined the tournament.
Senegal sealed their second AFCON title with a hard-fought 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in a final overshadowed by controversy and tension. The decisive moment came through a superb strike from Pape Gueye, while Morocco were left to reflect on a missed penalty and a courageous campaign that ended just short of continental glory.
In the individual honours, Senegal captain Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament after a commanding display throughout the competition. Mané’s leadership, consistency and decisive contributions proved central to Senegal’s title run, earning him the prestigious Golden Ball award.
Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, widely known as Bono, was awarded Best Goalkeeper following a series of commanding performances between the posts. His composure, shot-stopping ability and organisational presence were key to Morocco’s journey to the final.
Despite Morocco’s narrow defeat in the final, Brahim Díaz finished as the tournament’s top scorer and claimed the Golden Boot. Díaz scored five goals during the competition, making history as the first player to score in five consecutive matches at a single AFCON tournament.
Morocco also received the Fair Play Award in recognition of their sportsmanship, discipline and respect for the laws of the game throughout the competition.
With Senegal lifting the trophy and standout individuals honoured for their excellence, AFCON 2025 will be remembered as a tournament defined by intensity, quality football and moments that will endure in African football history.
Senegal were crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday after edging host nation Morocco 1–0 in a tense and dramatic extra-time final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The pulsating contest was defined by controversy, protests and late drama before the Teranga Lions emerged victorious to secure their second AFCON title in three tournament appearances.
Tensions flared deep into added time of regulation when the referee awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Replays showed Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf appearing to tug Brahim Diaz by the neck during a corner kick, prompting DR Congo referee Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo to point to the spot.
The decision sparked furious protests from the Senegalese camp, with players confronting match officials and head coach Pape Thiaw leading his team off the pitch in protest. The impasse lasted about 13 minutes before captain Sadio Mane intervened, convincing his teammates to return and allow the match to continue.
Morocco were handed a golden chance to snatch victory in regulation time, but Brahim Diaz failed to convert from the penalty spot, sending the match into extra time.
Senegal seized the initiative in the fourth minute of extra time when Pape Gueye unleashed a stunning long-range strike at the end of a swift counter-attack sparked by Mane. The goal stunned the hosts and shifted momentum decisively in Senegal’s favour.
The Teranga Lions then produced a disciplined defensive display to see out the remainder of extra time, silencing the home crowd and sealing a memorable triumph on Moroccan soil.
The victory confirms Senegal’s status as a dominant force in African football, marking their second continental title in three finals and capping a tournament run defined by resilience, composure and timely brilliance.