Gabon: Former Football Official Criticizes Leadership, Upcoming Federation Election. LIBREVILLE, Gabon — 21 March 2026 (AGP) – Dieudonné Ndoumbou, the former president of the Gabonese Football Federation’s (Fégafoot) normalization committee, has criticized the current leadership of the country’s football federation during an interview with the Gabonese Press Agency (AGP). Ndoumbou, who served as the normalization committee president from April 2013 to March 2024, discussed several issues, including the selection of the national coach, the upcoming Gabon National Foot championship, and the lack of structure in amateur football.
CAN Elimination and Selection Process Controversy. Reflecting on Gabon’s elimination in the first round of the recent Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Morocco, Ndoumbou attributed the poor performance to several factors, including logistical issues and the absence of friendly matches. He expressed disappointment over the selection process for the national coach, suggesting that better candidates could have been considered.
National Foot Championship and Financial Concerns. Regarding the recent relaunch of the national first division championship after a nine-month hiatus, Ndoumbou called for a review of the financing model, emphasizing the need for structural changes to ensure the sustainability of the competition. Promotion of Amateur Football and Leadership Critique.
Discussing the promotion of amateur football, Ndoumbou criticized the current leadership for not prioritizing the development of the sport. He highlighted the lack of innovation in youth football and the continued organization of the same tournaments without significant improvements. Upcoming Federation Election and Concerns.
Addressing the upcoming election for the presidency of Fégafoot, scheduled for April 18, Ndoumbou expressed concerns about the process, suggesting that it may perpetuate the reign of a president who has demonstrated his limitations. He criticized the changes to the electoral code and the lack of transparency in the selection of candidates. CAF’s Decision on CAN 2025 Commenting on the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to declare Morocco the winner of the CAN 2025 by default, Ndoumbou expressed his disbelief, calling the decision unfair and a blow to African pride.
Retirement Plans and Advice for Future Candidates.
In closing, Ndoumbou thanked his supporters and announced his intention to retire from football, expressing his desire to see the sport thrive in Gabon. He advised future candidates to challenge the election process and work towards a new beginning for Gabonese football.
Further Details Expected.
The situation in Gabon’s football federation remains a topic of concern, with further details expected to emerge as the election approaches.
