Gabon Lifts Sanctions on Team and Aubameyang After Afcon Exit
In a surprising move, Gabon's government has lifted sanctions imposed on the national team and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following their disappointing exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The decision comes after then-Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula branded the team's performance as "disgraceful" and took drastic measures, including suspending the team, sacking coach Thierry Mouyouma, and excluding Aubameyang from the national setup.
The sanctions had put the country's football federation at risk of suspension by FIFA, but new Sports Minister Paul Ulrich Kessany has now lifted the measures. A statement from Fegafoot, the Gabonese Football Federation, welcomed the positive outcome, saying that Kessany had invited them to present him with details for selecting a new technical staff.
The move is seen as a welcome relief for Aubameyang, who was left out of the team after Mamboula's criticisms. The Panthers striker has been one of the top players in Africa, having previously played for Arsenal and Chelsea. His exclusion from the national setup sparked controversy among fans and fellow players alike.
Aubameyang's situation is now back under control, and he can look forward to representing Gabon again at international level. With the sanctions lifted, Fegafoot can focus on preparing for upcoming tournaments, including the 2027 Afcon qualifying draw.
The decision by Kessany is a significant one, as it signals an end to the government's interference in football affairs. It also shows that the new administration is committed to supporting the sport and giving players like Aubameyang the opportunity to succeed on the international stage.
In a surprising move, Gabon's government has lifted sanctions imposed on the national team and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following their disappointing exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The decision comes after then-Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula branded the team's performance as "disgraceful" and took drastic measures, including suspending the team, sacking coach Thierry Mouyouma, and excluding Aubameyang from the national setup.
The sanctions had put the country's football federation at risk of suspension by FIFA, but new Sports Minister Paul Ulrich Kessany has now lifted the measures. A statement from Fegafoot, the Gabonese Football Federation, welcomed the positive outcome, saying that Kessany had invited them to present him with details for selecting a new technical staff.
The move is seen as a welcome relief for Aubameyang, who was left out of the team after Mamboula's criticisms. The Panthers striker has been one of the top players in Africa, having previously played for Arsenal and Chelsea. His exclusion from the national setup sparked controversy among fans and fellow players alike.
Aubameyang's situation is now back under control, and he can look forward to representing Gabon again at international level. With the sanctions lifted, Fegafoot can focus on preparing for upcoming tournaments, including the 2027 Afcon qualifying draw.
The decision by Kessany is a significant one, as it signals an end to the government's interference in football affairs. It also shows that the new administration is committed to supporting the sport and giving players like Aubameyang the opportunity to succeed on the international stage.
I'm loving this drama with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang! The sanctions were just too harsh, especially after the team's exit from Afcon 
. It's great that the new Sports Minister is bringing some sense back to the football federation 
. All those years of playing for top teams like Arsenal and Chelsea, and now he gets snubbed by his own country? That's just not right 
. I'm glad Aubameyang can finally focus on representing Gabon again without all that drama 
. The fact that this decision signals an end to the government's interference in football affairs is music to my ears 
!
. i mean, who wouldn't want their star player back in the team after a gov't minister basically called them out for being rubbish? 
. now, lets see if Gabon can bounce back from their Afcon exit and make some noise in the 2027 tournament 
IT SHOWS THAT THE NEW GOVERNMENT IS WILLING TO LISTEN TO REASON AND LET THINGS COOL DOWN AFTER A WILD RIDE. AUBAMEYANG WAS RIGHTLY UPSET WITH BEING EXCLUDED FROM THE NATIONAL TEAM, BUT NOW HE CAN FOCUS ON HELPING GABON COME BACK STRONG FOR THE 2027 AFCON Qualifying DRAW!!! 
AND LETS BE REAL, THIS IS ALSO A GOOD SIGN FOR FOOTBALL IN GABON - WE NEED MORE POSITIVE CHANGES LIKE THIS! 
! He was totally unfair to leave him out of the team after what Mamboula said. I mean, come on, one bad game and suddenly you're out? It's like, he's still a top player, dude! 
. This is such a great move for Gabonese football and for Aubameyang himself 
. It's like, a fresh start and all that jazz 
.
finally back to being part of the gabon team after those sanctions were lifted 
i was getting so worried about him, and now he can focus on scoring more goals for his country 
️
it's great to see the government backing off from interfering with football affairs 
now fegafoot can just worry about preparing for the afcon qualifying draw in 2027 