Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Twitter)
The 33-year-old has had a long association with the Gabonese Football Association since making his national team debut in 2009, and left it in May last year. He cited the influence of the country’s President, Ali Bongo Ondimba, in his decision to return.
Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced a return to the Gabon national team a year after retiring from international football, citing the impact of the country’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s decision to withdraw.
The Chelsea forward, who was also eligible to play for France or Spain as a youth player, has had a long-standing testy relationship with the Gabonese Football Association since making his national team debut in 2009, and has made 30 appearances for After scoring the goal, it was abandoned in May last year. in 72 appearances.
Read this also Lautaro Martinez leads Inter Milan to Champions League final after 1-0 win over AC Milan
But the 33-year-old, Gabon’s most accomplished player of all time, announced on Tuesday that he has made himself available again for the national side and has spoken with coach Patrice Neveu.
“A few days ago I had the immense honor received by the President of the Republic (of Gabon) Ali Bongo Ondimba and at the same time heard the wise words he said to me as a father speaking to his son,” Aubameyang said in his official statement. Posted on Instagram account.
“Thereafter, I, therefore, place myself at the disposal of my country and coach Patrice Neveu.”
Read this also Ancelotti describes Real Madrid’s clash with Manchester City as meeting of Europe’s best players
Gabon currently top their qualification pool for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Ivory Coast next January, with two rounds to play and can book their place in the final when they host the Democratic Republic of the Congo next month .
The striker has seen his club’s fortunes decline in recent times, making five Premier League starts for Chelsea this season, netting once against Crystal Palace in October.
Read this also Cardiff City seek $100m compensation from Nantes for Emiliano Sala plane crash four years ago
He looks set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign, having been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona, where he started the 2022-23 season.
The Catalan club confirmed that Aubameyang will receive a La Liga winner’s medal from their title triumph this season, despite only playing eight minutes before moving to Chelsea.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)