Saturnin Ibela

Saturnin Ibela Ignambi (born 23 March 1971) is a Gabonese football manager who manages Loto-Popo FC.

Saturnin Ibela

Personal information
Full name	Saturnin Ibela Ignambi
Date of birth	(1971-03-23)23 March 1971
Place of birth	Gabon
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
	AS Mangasport
	USM Libreville
Managerial career
2017–2019	Gabon U17
2021	Djoliba AC
2022–2023	Gabon U23
2022–2023	Lozo Sport
2023–	Loto-Popo FC
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

Ibela was born on 23 March 1971 in Gabon. As a played, he played for Gabonese side AS Mangasport. After that, he signed for Gabonese side USM Libreville before starting his managerial career.

Managerial career

In 2016, Ibela obtained his CAF A License. The 4–2–3–1 player formation has been regarded as his preferred player formation in management. In 2017, he was appointed manager of the Gabon national under-17 football team. In 2021, he was appointed manager of Malian side Djoliba AC. Upon arrival at the club, he was tasked with helping them win the league and the Malian Cup and achieve qualification for the CAF Champions League in the process. He helped them achieve third place in the league but they were knocked out of the Malian Cup by second tier side Binga FC, which led to his dismissal.

In 2022, he was appointed manager of the Gabon national under-23 football team. He helped the team achieve qualification for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Morocco. However, they were unable to reach the knockout stage of the tournament. Later that same year, he was appointed manager of Gabonese side Lozo Sport. By February 2023, he has resigned for the club. That summer, he was appointed manager of Beninese side Loto-Popo FC. While he managed the club, Beninese newspaper Les 4 Vérités described him as "part of the young generation of Gabonese coaches".