Gabon government lifts measures on Aubameyang
Gabon's football association has announced government measures on the national team and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been lifted after its early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Gabon lost all its Group F games – against Cameroon, Mozambique and defending champion Cote d'Ivoire – in Morocco, before the country's sports minister announced on television the suspension of the national team, the captain Aubameyang and defender Bruno Ecuele Manga.
However, Gabon's new sports minister, Paul Ulrich Kessany, has lifted the measures that could have led to the suspension of the Gabon FA, as world football's governing body FIFA takes a hard stance against government interference in the running of football associations.
"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," Gabon FA statement released on Tuesday (AEDT) read.
"The Minister of Sports Paul Ulrich Kessany highlighted the urgency of upcoming deadlines, notably the draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations," it added.
