Gabon preps in disarray as coach leaves

Jorge Costa was only reappointed in August on a six-month deal.

Jorge Costa has been removed as coach of Gabon just two months before the country hosts the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to the official website of the Gabon’s football federation, Costa has been replaced on a temporary basis by technical director Jose Antonio Garrido.

No reason has been given for what appears to be a sudden change at the top of the national team.

Former international defender Costa was only reappointed in August on a six-month deal.

His original contract as Panthers coach expired on 30 June and Gabon initially sought a replacement.

Garrido has just over a week to prepare the team for their next assignment – a World Cup qualifier in Mali.

The Nations Cup hosts will then play a friendly against the Comoros in Tunis three days after their showdown with the Eagles.

Gabon face debutants Guinea-Bissau in the opening match of the Nations Cup on 14 January.

The other teams in Group A are four-time winners Cameroon and Burkina Faso, runners-up in 2013.

*BBC