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Gabonese player union ANFPG marks ten years of serving footballers

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  • Gabonese player union ANFPG celebrated its tenth anniversary during its general assembly last month

  • Remy Ebanega, ANFPG's president and founder, looks back on a challenging period

  • "Each of our victories is further proof that our organisation is indispensable," says Ebanega

Before the national professional footballers’ association of Gabon (ANFPG) saw the light, there already was a player association in the country. However, as happens in more nations, the player association was subservient to and heavily subsided by the federal and political powers, inactive and above all failing in defending the rights of players.

Remy Ebanega, a spirited young international at the time, knew this pseudo association could neither act nor speak, let alone fight, on behalf of the players. Being a player of AJ Auxerre, he was nurtured within French player union UNFP and educated about the power of the collective. Ebanega, flanked by sports scientist Axel Nguema and a few other pioneers, decided to create ANFPG.

"On 30 May 2014 to be precise," recalled Ebanega, now the union’s president. "We had a simple but essential ambition: to defend and promote the rights and interests of Gabonese footballers and all those playing in our country, while improving their working and living conditions."

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Remy Ebanega

With Ebanega being a national team player himself, it was not difficult to convince his international team-mates to lend their support to the new player association.

Challenging beginning

ANFPG had high hopes of advancing the wellbeing of its members, however the disastrous status of Gabonese football governance and politics put some major obstacles in place. Hundreds of players have been waiting on their salaries for years, something the union has been trying to solve together with the government and the football association. Next to that, professional football competitions were suspended for long periods, first due to Covid-19 and later due to financial problems.

On top of these issues, the union was subjected to various attacks, such as a smear campaign, threats and police arrests. As a result, Ebanega felt forced to leave his country, fearing for his safety, as he was wrongly accused of being behind the disclosure of the appalling case of sexual abuse in youth teams, which came to light in 2022 and legal proceedings remain with FIFA. The union supported players by offering mental health support via a psychologist and also helped whistle-blowers with reporting.

According to Ebanega, nothing has ever been able to alter the determination of ANFPG members and their commitment to the cause of players and fairer working conditions in football: "This journey has not been a smooth one, to say the least. We've faced all kinds of challenges, it's true, but we've never lost sight of our objective. It has taken courage, perseverance and, above all, an unshakeable faith in the nobility of our mission. It's the same faith that inspired our team of volunteers at the start, and we can't thank them enough for taking part in this adventure.

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"ANFPG is not just an organisation; it is a response to an urgent and vital need. Our footballers, whether at the peak of their careers or seeking recognition, deserve a framework that protects their rights, values their efforts and ensures them a dignified future. That's why we've stayed the course, despite the challenges."

Union becomes respected part of Gabonese football

Over the years, ANFPG has established itself as a major player in the defence of footballers' rights. It has called for respectful contracts, adequate medical care, better management of player pensions, the resumption of the championship, the payment of player wages and the fight against all forms of discrimination and injustice. The union also paid particular attention to women's football, to ensure that the aspirations of women’s players are recognised and supported in line with their talent.

Although various player issues are not solved yet, the respect for the union and its staff is growing. This is clearly illustrated by Ebanega’s appointment last year as the head of a special government committee to advance sport and youth culture. The man who once had problems with the previous government is now respected by the country’s new leadership for his commitment to improving the living and working conditions of footballers.

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Left to right: Livia Moukagni (Secretary General), Remy Ebanega (President) and Axel Nguema (Vice President) at ANFPG's General Assembly in December 2024

"Each of our victories is further proof that our organisation is indispensable. The introduction of a standard contract and our effective participation in the work of the League's Licence Approval Committee are not the least of our successes, as are the actions we have taken to get our championship back on track, with six rounds already played at the start of January," said Ebanega.

"We know that the greatest challenge still lies ahead of us: continuing to build a better future for the footballers of Gabon. Together, with their support and commitment, we will continue to fight, innovate and build a Gabonese game that inspires and shines beyond our borders."

FIFPRO Africa President Geremie Njitap acknowledged the work of the union at its general assembly in late December 2024. "ANFPG, through the strength of its commitment, the steadfastness of its battles and the diversity of the missions it carries out for the benefit of players, is one of the members pulling FIFPRO Africa upwards.

"When you consider the situation in Gabon, even the smallest victory in defending the rights and interests of footballers and recognising their status as workers is a giant step towards fairer football, based on respect for contracts, social justice and social dialogue, and wage payments."