Gabon National Team Disbanded

Gabon government has announced the disbandment of the national team after it failed to secure a place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The move became necessary after the Panthers ‘exchanged blows’ with hosts Burundi to share the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate in their final round of Afcon qualifiers.

Sports minister Bilie By Nze made this announcement after a meeting with the Gabon Football Federation officials in Libreville late Wednesday.

Nze said that the government had given the team all the necessary support but they failed to deliver. He promised to inform the people of Gabon of a new restructuring of the entire technical bench soon.

The football officials told the minister they would evolve a football development programme and groom a new senior national team “that will bring glory, rather than consistent embarrassment.”

Gabon, who hosted the last finals in 2017, needed a win in Bujumbura to join Group C winners Mali in the expanded 24-team finals in Egypt in June and July.

The Panthers coach Daniel Cousin had signed his working contract two weeks before the match after going for six months without pay.

He recorded two wins against South Sudan – home and away- lost to Mali at home before registering a draw against Burundi.

Cousin’s assistant Mbanangoye Zita Bruno and the national team’s general manager François Amegasse were to sign their respective contracts in the coming days.