Aubameyang Retires From Gabon
Aubameyang retires from international football following a bitter fallout with Gabonese football authorities.
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Key Points
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Aubameyang was temporarily excluded from Gabon's squad after the AFCON and only reinstated later, a move that fed into the backlash over how authorities handled his involvement in the tournament.
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Gabon appointed Sebastien Migne as the new head coach to lead the national team into upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
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Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema publicly characterized the AFCON exit as weakening part of the national identity.
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Aubameyang moved to Deportivo La Coruña in Spain, returning to La Liga after leaving Marseille, and has already scored three goals for his new club since arriving.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon's all-time leading goalscorer, has retired from international football after feeling Al Jazeera"humiliated" by his treatment during and after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The star striker was excluded from the squad, then reinstated to play while injured, a cycle he says damaged his reputation and marked the final break with national team authorities.
Gabon crashed out of AFCON in the group stage after three straight losses, including a 3-2 defeat to Ivory Coast. The fallout triggered a government overhaul: officials dissolved the coaching staff, suspended team operations, and sidelined both Aubameyang and veteran Bruno Ecuele Manga. The crisis has exposed deep tensions between football governance and national politics.
Aubameyang's Exit and Gabonese Football Breakdown
Aubameyang's decision came after he was benched, then forced to return to play injured. Sportscape Magazine reported that the striker felt disrespected by national officials who excluded him only to reinstate him under poor conditions. He described the handling as deliberately humiliating and a violation of respect he earned over years of service.
The captain's departure removes Gabon's leading goal scorer as the team enters the 2027 AFCON qualifiers in Group One against Morocco, Niger, and Lesotho. The loss of his leadership and attacking firepower weakens the squad heading into critical matches that will determine continental participation.
Government Overhaul After Group Stage Collapse
Gabon's three consecutive defeats triggered a swift government response. Authorities disbanded the entire coaching staff and suspended national team activities, signaling the scale of the crisis. Officials also removed both Aubameyang and defender Bruno Ecuele Manga from the squad, a dual sidelining that sparked public outcry and eroded fan confidence in team management.
President Calls Crisis a Blow to National Identity
Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema condemned the AFCON exit as weakening part of the nation's identity. Al Jazeera reported his characterization highlighted how deeply the football crisis had penetrated political consciousness. The statement underscored the intersection of sport and state pride in Gabon's public discourse.
Aubameyang Thrives at Spanish Club Deportivo La Coruña
After leaving Marseille, Aubameyang joined Deportivo La Coruña in Spain's La Liga. He has adapted quickly to his new team, scoring three goals since his arrival. The move marks a fresh start for the striker as he leaves Gabonese national team tensions behind and refocuses on club football.
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