Obamiyang ends Gabon's representation

Gabon star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang announced the end of his international career, stating that he felt “insulted” after being dropped from the squad and then recalled following the team’s failure at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The Gabonese captain said in a television interview on Tuesday: “They insulted me and tarnished my reputation, even though I played in the Africa Cup of Nations while injured.” He added, “That was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and I prefer to stop here.”

The all-time top scorer for the “Panthers,” with 40 goals in 83 international appearances, remains bitter after the Gabonese government held him responsible for the team’s poor performance at the 2025 AFCON. Gabon exited the tournament in the group stage after three consecutive defeats, the last of which was a 3-2 loss to Ivory Coast. At the time, Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema remarked that “a part of the national identity was threatened with weakening.”

In response, the government decided to dismiss the technical staff, suspend the national team’s activities indefinitely, and exclude Aubameyang (37) and Bruno Ekwéili Manga (38) from the squad. The suspension of these two veteran captains sparked widespread outrage among Gabonese fans. The former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Marseille player then said, “I believe the team’s problems run much deeper than my humble person.”

Aubameyang had previously retired from international football in 2022 before reversing his decision later. The Gabonese striker has taken on what may be his final challenge in Europe, having left Marseille for the second time to join Deportivo La Coruña, which has returned to Spain’s top flight after years of struggle. He has scored three goals for his new side so far.

Gabon’s new French coach, Sébastien Meunier, will have to cope with the absence of his captain as he prepares for upcoming fixtures in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. After missing out on the 2026 World Cup, the “Panthers” will aim to qualify for the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.