Gabon has reinstated its national football team and star players Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga, reversing a government suspension to avoid FIFA sanctions ahead of the 2027 AFCON draw.
Gabon’s new sports minister, Paul Ulrich Kessany, has officially rescinded the suspension of the national football team and its key players.
The initial disciplinary measures followed a dismal performance in Group F of the Africa Cup of Nations, where Gabon lost every match against Cameroon, Mozambique, and Côte d’Ivoire.
The reversal ensures that captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and defender Bruno Ecuele Manga are cleared to return to international duty.
The decision to lift the ban comes as a strategic move to prevent potential intervention from FIFA. World football’s governing body maintains a strict policy against government interference in national football associations, which could have resulted in a total ban for Gabon.
By reinstating the team, the government aims to protect the Gabon FA’s standing and ensure the country remains eligible for upcoming international competitions.
Official statements emphasize the need to look forward to future continental tournaments.
“The government measures suspending the national team have been lifted, as well as the exclusion of players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga following the unsatisfactory results of the national team at the Africa Cup of Nations,” the Gabon FA confirmed.
Minister Kessany cited the “urgency of upcoming deadlines,” specifically the draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.