"Gabon were the second team eliminated from the ongoing AFCON in Morocco after consecutive defeats in their opening two matches, first falling 1-0 to neighbours and rivals Cameroon, before a 3-2 loss against unfancied Mozambique. Their miserable group-stage campaign concluded with a third loss on Wednesday, as they stole into a 2-0 lead against defending champions Ivory Coast before capitulating and losing 3-2, missing out on an unlikely shot at redemption."
"The country's government has responded strongly, announcing on Wednesday -- via a direct television communique -- a series of strong measures taken against the "dishonourable performance" of the Panthers at the AFCON. "Considering the multifaceted effects, which are the antithesis of the ethical and exemplary values advocated by the Fifth Republic, the government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuélé Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang," the country's Minister of Sports Simplice-Desire Mamboula read out during a television briefing."
""[The Gabonese Football Federation are] invited to take full responsibility," the statement added."
Gabon lost all three group matches at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, falling 1-0 to Cameroon, 3-2 to Mozambique and surrendering a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 against Ivory Coast. The team exited the tournament early after a poor group-stage campaign and failed to mount a comeback in the final match. The Gabonese government branded the performance "dishonourable" and announced strict measures in response. The measures include dissolving the technical staff, suspending the national team until further notice, and excluding Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from selection. Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula delivered the communique and called on the Gabonese Football Federation to take full responsibility. Ecuele Manga had recently ended a brief retirement to return, and Aubameyang remained on a personal recovery plan.
Read at ESPN.com
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