A YEAR AFTER HIS INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT, AUBAMEYANG WANTS GABON COME BACK.

A year after calling time on his career in international football, striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed his intention to rejoin the Gabonese national team. He attributes his decision to President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s influence.

Since making his debut for the Gabonese national team in 2009 and retiring in May of last year after scoring 30 goals in 72 games, the Chelsea forward, who as a kid was also eligible to play for France or Spain, has long had a contentious relationship with the Gabonese Football Association.

However, the 33-year-old, who is by far Gabon’s most accomplished player, declared on Tuesday that he had met with national team coach Patrice Neveu and made himself available once more for the team.

Aubameyang said on his official Instagram account, “A few days ago I had the immense honor to be received by the President of the Republic (of Gabon), Ali Bongo Ondimba, and at the same time listened to the wise words he said to me as a father talking to his son.”

“In light of this, I hereby place myself at the service of my nation and the manager Patrice Neveu.”

With two rounds remaining in their qualification group for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Gabon is presently in first place and can clinch a spot in the finals by hosting the Democratic Republic of the Congo next month.

After making five Premier League starts for Chelsea this season and scoring once against Crystal Palace in October, the striker has recently watched his club’s fortunes decline.