Gabon’s Aubameyang suspends international retirement to return to national team

Gabonese soccer international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced plans to re-unite with the national team, one year after quitting the outfit.

The announcement came one week after meeting with President Omar Bongo Ondimba.

“A few days ago, I had the immense honor to be received by the President of the Republic (of Gabon) Ali Bongo Ondimba,” Aubameyang’s said in a post. “Following this, I therefore put myself at the disposal of my country and of the coach Patrice Neveu,” he said.

French manager Neveu currently leads the “Pantheres” who are at the top of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification group. The team is yet to seal their place at the tournament in Côte D’Ivoire next January, with a game to spare, when they host Democratic Republic of Congo in June.

33-year Aubameyang retired in May last year after scoring 28 goals in 68 appearances. He made his debut with the national team in 2009.

The France-born African footballer has had a difficult season at Chelsea, with only three goals in 21 appearances. He has been linked with a move back to Barcelona in 2009. The new Spain champions confirmed Aubameyang will get a “La Liga winners” medal from their title win this season, despite playing for only eight minutes before his move to Chelsea.

About Khalid Al Mouahidi 4519 Articles
Khalid Al Mouahidi : A binational from the US and Morocco, Khalid El Mouahidi has worked for several american companies in the Maghreb Region and is currently based in Casablanca, where he is doing consulting jobs for major international companies . Khalid writes analytical pieces about economic ties between the Maghreb and the Mena Region, where he has an extensive network