Bata, Equatorial Guinea---Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang blamed a crucial penalty decision as his side exited the Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of hosts Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
Javier Balboa won and then converted a 55th-minute penalty that set the Nzalang Nacional on the way to a 2-0 victory in Bata as they advanced to the last eight.
"The penalty killed us. It is not the first time we have had this referee," said the Borussia Dortmund star of Ivorian official Desire Doue Noumandiez.
"It's really upsetting because at this level referees should not be allowed to make mistakes like that.
"We have to get on with it but people need to know that it's not fair."
Gabon started with an encouraging 2-0 win against 2013 runners-up Burkina Faso but go home early after losing to Congo Brazzaville and then the hosts.
"The team gave a lot during this competition. We were a bit naive sometimes and in the last two matches we proved that we are a young team who are growing and learning," added Aubameyang.
"I hoped for a lot more, but that's how it is. Hopefully we will be back to get revenge in 2017."
Equally angry Portuguese coach Jorge Costa added: "I don't want to make excuses but Equatorial Guinea would not have scored but for a non-existent penalty.
"We should have been the team in the quarter-finals. It was not a penalty, Balboa dived, and I have been in football long enough to know that. I'm not somebody who worked in a supermarket."
AFP
