Gabon's sports minister has announced the banning of veteran players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga, the suspension of the whole national team, and the sacking of the coaching staff following the Panthers' disastrous showing at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).An injury-time winner by Bazoumana Toure condemned Gabon to a 3-2 defeat against defending champions Ivory Coast at the AFCON on Wednesday.&nbsp;A third consecutive defeat in as many outings ensured that they finished rock bottom of Group F, below heavyweights Ivory Coast and Cameroon, but also Mozambique.&nbsp;"Given the Panthers' disgraceful performance at the AFCON, the government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and remove players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang," Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula said on Gabonese television late on Wednesday.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chelsea-end-speculation-part-ways-with-manager-enzo-maresca-premier-league-1767271781894">Chelsea end speculation, part ways with manager Enzo Maresca</a>&nbsp;A few hours after it was broadcast, the video clip of the announcement was removed from the ministry's official platforms and the channel's online platforms, before being republished on Thursday. The national team's performance at the Africa Cup of Nations was reviewed by the Council of Ministers following Sunday's 3-2 defeat to 102nd-ranked Mozambique, which meant that Gabon could not progress to the knock-out stages.&nbsp;Aubameyang returned to his French club Marseille in the wake of that defeat due to a thigh knock.&nbsp;"This has weakened part of our national identity," Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema said on Monday, as per an official statement released on Wednesday. "The national team highlights two major problems: the lack of method and the dispersion of resources," he added.&nbsp;The president promised "strong and structural decisions" to "restore rigour, responsibility and ambition in the governance of national sport".&nbsp;That could, however, land Gabon in trouble with football's world governing body FIFA, which bans government interference in the affairs of its member associations.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

A third consecutive defeat in as many outings ensured that they finished rock bottom of Group F, below heavyweights Ivory Coast and Cameroon, but also Mozambique.

Gabon's sports minister has announced the banning of veteran players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga, the suspension of the whole national team, and the sacking of the coaching staff following the Panthers' disastrous showing at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). An injury-time winner by Bazoumana Toure condemned Gabon to a 3-2 defeat against defending champions Ivory Coast at the AFCON on Wednesday. A third consecutive defeat in as many outings ensured that they finished rock bottom of Group F, below heavyweights Ivory Coast and Cameroon, but also Mozambique. "Given the Panthers' disgraceful performance at the AFCON, the government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and remove players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang," Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula said on Gabonese television late on Wednesday. Also read | Chelsea end speculation, part ways with manager Enzo Maresca A few hours after it was broadcast, the video clip of the announcement was removed from the ministry's official platforms and the channel's online platforms, before being republished on Thursday. The national team's performance at the Africa Cup of Nations was reviewed by the Council of Ministers following Sunday's 3-2 defeat to 102nd-ranked Mozambique, which meant that Gabon could not progress to the knock-out stages. Aubameyang returned to his French club Marseille in the wake of that defeat due to a thigh knock. "This has weakened part of our national identity," Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema said on Monday, as per an official statement released on Wednesday. "The national team highlights two major problems: the lack of method and the dispersion of resources," he added. The president promised "strong and structural decisions" to "restore rigour, responsibility and ambition in the governance of national sport". That could, however, land Gabon in trouble with football's world governing body FIFA, which bans government interference in the affairs of its member associations. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

A third consecutive defeat in as many outings ensured that they finished rock bottom of Group F, below heavyweights Ivory Coast and Cameroon, but also Mozambique.

Gabon govt suspends national team, ex-Arsenal hero amid horror AFCON show

Ademola Lookman secured a 2-1 win for a wasteful Nigeria against Tanzania in Fes on Tuesday in their opening Africa Cup of Nations match.&nbsp;After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria coach Eric Chelle would have hoped for more goals given the opportunities his side created.&nbsp;Star striker Victor Osimhen was among the culprits. He failed to score but could have claimed a hat-trick with better finishing.&nbsp;Nigerian centre-half Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the first half, before Charles M'Mombwa levelled soon after half-time.&nbsp;However, Atalanta attacker Lookman struck the winning goal shortly after the equaliser to spare Nigeria's blushes.&nbsp;The first half followed a predictable pattern with three-time champions Nigeria pressing and Tanzania soaking up pressure as they sought a first win after three draws and six losses in three previous AFCON appearances.&nbsp;Tanzania goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi suffered a facial injury after advancing off his line to block a shot by Akor Adams.&nbsp;From the resultant corner, Sevilla striker Adams came close as his near-post header hit the top of the crossbar.&nbsp;The east Africans threatened for the first time on 14 minutes with an acrobatic shot from Saimon Msuva comfortably saved by Stanley Nwabali.&nbsp;As rain began to fall in Fes, Nigerian frustrations surfaced with 2023 African player of the year Osimhen upset after being fouled by Ibrahim Hamad.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-steve-smith-to-joe-root-5-active-batters-with-most-runs-in-ashes-ben-stokes-jonny-bairstow-usman-khawaja-1762275784636">From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes</a><h2>Osimhen misses</h2>Osimhen then became the focal point of Nigerian attacks, threatening to score twice before another attempt was cleared off the line by Bakari Nondo.&nbsp;That set-piece led to the Super Eagles taking the lead as the ball was played back to Alex Iwobi, whose cross was nodded into the corner of the net by Ajayi for his second international goal.&nbsp;Samuel Chukwueze had a chance to increase the lead just before half-time, but &nbsp;his close-range shot was tipped over by Masudi.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-leonard-hutton-to-don-bradman-5-batters-with-highest-individual-score-in-ashes-bob-simpson-bob-cowper-ashes-2025-26-1762276944046">From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes</a>&nbsp;The opening seven minutes of the second period were dramatic as an Osimhen goal was ruled offside, before M'Mombwa equalised on 50 minutes and then 2024 African player of the year Lookman restored Nigeria's lead two minutes later with a rising shot from just outside the box.&nbsp;Chelle introduced veteran Moses Simon for Adams in the vain hope of building a wider lead ahead of what is likely to be their toughest Group C match, against Tunisia in Fes on Saturday.&nbsp;Tanzania squandered a chance to equalise with three minutes of regular time remaining as a Mohamed Hussein cross evaded Nwabali, but substitute Kelvin John failed to connect with the ball.&nbsp;Group C action continues later Tuesday with Tunisia taking on Uganda in Rabat.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Nigerian centre-half Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the first half, before Charles M'Mombwa levelled soon after half-time.

Ademola Lookman secured a 2-1 win for a wasteful Nigeria against Tanzania in Fes on Tuesday in their opening Africa Cup of Nations match. After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria coach Eric Chelle would have hoped for more goals given the opportunities his side created. Star striker Victor Osimhen was among the culprits. He failed to score but could have claimed a hat-trick with better finishing. Nigerian centre-half Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the first half, before Charles M'Mombwa levelled soon after half-time. However, Atalanta attacker Lookman struck the winning goal shortly after the equaliser to spare Nigeria's blushes. The first half followed a predictable pattern with three-time champions Nigeria pressing and Tanzania soaking up pressure as they sought a first win after three draws and six losses in three previous AFCON appearances. Tanzania goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi suffered a facial injury after advancing off his line to block a shot by Akor Adams. From the resultant corner, Sevilla striker Adams came close as his near-post header hit the top of the crossbar. The east Africans threatened for the first time on 14 minutes with an acrobatic shot from Saimon Msuva comfortably saved by Stanley Nwabali. As rain began to fall in Fes, Nigerian frustrations surfaced with 2023 African player of the year Osimhen upset after being fouled by Ibrahim Hamad. ALSO READ | From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes Osimhen misses Osimhen then became the focal point of Nigerian attacks, threatening to score twice before another attempt was cleared off the line by Bakari Nondo. That set-piece led to the Super Eagles taking the lead as the ball was played back to Alex Iwobi, whose cross was nodded into the corner of the net by Ajayi for his second international goal. Samuel Chukwueze had a chance to increase the lead just before half-time, but his close-range shot was tipped over by Masudi. ALSO READ | From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes The opening seven minutes of the second period were dramatic as an Osimhen goal was ruled offside, before M'Mombwa equalised on 50 minutes and then 2024 African player of the year Lookman restored Nigeria's lead two minutes later with a rising shot from just outside the box. Chelle introduced veteran Moses Simon for Adams in the vain hope of building a wider lead ahead of what is likely to be their toughest Group C match, against Tunisia in Fes on Saturday. Tanzania squandered a chance to equalise with three minutes of regular time remaining as a Mohamed Hussein cross evaded Nwabali, but substitute Kelvin John failed to connect with the ball. Group C action continues later Tuesday with Tunisia taking on Uganda in Rabat. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Nigerian centre-half Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the first half, before Charles M'Mombwa levelled soon after half-time.

Wasteful Nigeria open AFCON campaign with narrow win over Tanzania

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Gabon govt suspends national team, ex-Arsenal hero amid horror AFCON show

Wasteful Nigeria open AFCON campaign with narrow win over Tanzania