AFCON Nation 'Suspended' by Government After a 'Disgraceful Performance'

A nation at the Africa Cup of Nations has taken drastic action following a 'disgraceful performance' at the tournament.

The group stage of AFCON is officially done following the conclusions of Group E and Group F on Wednesday, with Algeria and Ivory Coast topping their respective groups.

Several other nations have also booked their spot in the next round of the competition, including Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria and Senegal.

Not to mention Cameroon, South Africa and DR Congo, who have a super-fan that holds a statue-like pose for the entirety of their matches.

But many nations have failed to get out of the group stage, including Gabon, who lost each of their games in Group F.

They opened their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon before losing 3-2 to Mozambique.

And Gabon lost their final group stage clash to Ivory Coast, who ran out 3-2 winners.

Their showings at AFCON has prompted the country's government to get involved as they have suspended the national team until further notice after a 'disgraceful performance'.

Gabon's government has suspended the national football team until further notice following their Africa Cup of Nations elimination. Image: Getty

In a document obtained by journalist Maher Mezahi, Gabon's government have slammed the national team, with captain Bruno Ecuele Manga and ex-Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also banned from representing the Panthers.

Gabon have also decided to sack the entire technical staff following their group stage elimination.

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Acting sports minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula announced the suspension on television, saying: "Given the Panthers' disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang."

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been banned from representing Gabon following their elimination. Image: Getty

Aubameyang, who scored eight goals for Marseille before departing for international duty, managed just one goal at this year's AFCON.

He didn't start against Cameroon in their tournament opener but led the line in their second game against Mozambique.

He scored in Gabon's 3-2 defeat and didn't feature against Ivory Coast due to an injury.

At 36, the star forward has likely played his last game for Gabon.