A year after retiring from international football, Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced his return to the Gabon national team. He has cited the influence of the country’s president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, in his decision.
The 33-year-old made the announcement on his official Instagram account on Tuesday.
Aubameyang made his debut for Gabon in 2009 but announced his retirement in May of last year after scoring 30 goals in 72 appearances.
The French-born striker, who has struggled for playing time at Chelsea since joining from Barcelona in September last year, has stated that he is available for the national team selection.
“Following this, I therefore put myself at the disposal of my country and of the coach Patrice Neveu.”
This season, Aubameyang has made five Premier League starts for Chelsea, scoring once against Crystal Palace in October.
He will now look to be called for the final rounds of next year’s Ivory Coast Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in June.
READ ALSO: “Remain loyal to Leicester City”- Daka told
Gabon is currently topping group I with 7 points and is on the verge of sealing their qualification.
They will host the Democratic Republic of Congo next month and can seal their qualification with a win.