430 coaches vie for Gabon post, FA overwhelmed

Some 430 coaches drawn from Africa and beyond have applied for the Gabon national team coach job, leaving the selection committee overwhelmed.

In a statement, the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) confirms that many coaches, including from Europe, have shown interest in stepping in the shoes of Thierry Mouyouma. The former national team defender for the West African national team lost his job after an underwhelming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.

“Coach selection committee eshttps://www.panafricafootball.com/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=scouting_reportstablished by FEGAFOOT, in the interest of transparency and in accordance with the announced timeline, reports that 430 applications have been reviewed to date,” reads the statement.

Why selection panel asked for more time

The statement adds that the selection panel has since asked the executive committee of FEGAFOOT to extend the deadline of its mandate from 10 to 28 February considering the many applications at hand.

“However, given the enormity of the work, the committee requested and obtained a few additional days from the Executive Committee beyond the initial deadline,” adds the statement.

“Following this, the committee will begin the interview phase before submitting the shortlist of three candidates, which the Executive Committee will use as the basis for appointing the Panthers’ coach, a decision finally scheduled for February 28, 2026.”

Tale of contradiction on numbers Gabon

On February 3 2026, FEGAFOOT released a statement suggesting that 605 coaches had applied for the job.

“Following the call for applications launched by the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) for the recruitment of a new national team coach, 605 candidates, mostly Europeans, expressed their desire to coach the Gabonese national team,” read the earlier statement.

The federation had indicated that the shortlisting of the applicants was scheduled from 4 to 10 February, before paving the way for the interviews, only to make the latest U-turn.

Gabon struggled at the AFCON finals in Morocco where they failed to win a single game in Group F, losing 1-0 to Cameroon, 3-2 at the hands of Mozambique and Ivory Coast (3-2).

Such a poor run of results prompted the Government of Gabon to suspend the national team’s striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang alongside captain alongside captain Bruno Ecuélé Manga while dissolving the coaching panel.

However, the duo’s suspension was lifted, but Mouyouma did not get a second chance.

Gabon National Team Coach Search: 430 Applications Overwhelm FEGAFOOT

The search for a new Gabon national football team coach has taken an unexpected turn as 430 applications poured in from Africa and beyond, leaving the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) overwhelmed.

The role opened up after the dismissal of Thierry Mouyouma, a former national team defender, following Gabon’s disappointing performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where they failed to win a single match in Group F.

For updates and official announcements from FEGAFOOT, visit their official website.

Why the Selection Panel Requested More Time

In a recent statement, FEGAFOOT confirmed that many coaches, including European professionals, expressed interest in leading the Gabonese national team, known as the Panthers.

“Coach selection committee established by FEGAFOOT, in the interest of transparency and in accordance with the announced timeline, reports that 430 applications have been reviewed to date,” the statement read.

Given the sheer number of applications, the committee requested an extension of their mandate from February 10 to February 28, 2026 to properly review all candidates. The interview phase will follow, with a shortlist of three candidates presented to the Executive Committee, who will make the final appointment.

For insights on international coaching recruitment, see FIFA’s coaching directory.