Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot) president Pierre-Alain Mounguengui says his country is not at risk of getting suspended from FIFA and CAF due to recent developments surrounding the national team.
The government of Gabon disbanded the coaching staff and suspended the national team after a dreadful result at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which saw them finish bottom of their group with zero points.
Head coach Thierry Mouyouma was notified of the decision by Fegafoot on Monday, January 5. The decision has drawn mixed reactions from the Gabonese public, as fear grew over the fate of football in the Central African nation.
Mounguengui stated that the federation is not worried about a potential ban due to government interference.
“The government has a duty to ensure the proper management of football and the country’s standing in this area, thus justifying its direct intervention, particularly the suspension of the national team when results are unsatisfactory. Therefore, there is no government interference, as long as the decisions taken do not violate the statutes of CAF and FIFA,” said Mounguengui.
Mounguengui said the dismissal of Mouyouma is reasonable, with the state covering his salary so far.
“The coach and his staff are state employees, and the state pays their salaries. They are simply placed at the disposal of Fegafoot. The state has simply terminated the contract, binding it to its employees.”
Gabon will be on the hunt for a new coach ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Mouyouma, 50, has led Gabon for three years and secured qualification for AFCON twice during his tenure.
The government and Fegafoot will assign a new coach, and the fate of the suspended national team will be sorted out in due course.
