Football in Gabon - the co-hosts of the 2012 African Nations Cup - has been thrown into disarray after the country's national league was halted two games before the end of the season because of a lack of funds.

The Gabon Championnat National was heading for its climax but the government's apparent failure to release its annual subsidy of €76,000 has led to the suspension of the league.

The decision was revealed in a statement from the Gabon football federation and the national football league (Linaf), which claimed the decision was taken because of "the exhaustion of available funds".

The league's closure was put down to the sports ministry's alleged failure to pay its yearly contribution and a subsequent failure to provide emergency financial aid, as well as a lack of investment from private sponsors.

The 2012 African Nations Cup is due to take place in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next January.