Aubameyang pondering Gabon return

Chelsea player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Wednesday May 10, 2023. 14:06

Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is considering a plea from Gabon president Ali Bongo Ondimba to come out of international retirement.

The Panthers’ all-time leading scorer decided to call time on his career with the national team almost exactly a year ago, with his last appearance coming against Mauritania in a friendly on 1 April 2022.

Aubameyang, who won 72 caps for his country and notched 30 goals, is believed to have met with Ondimba in a bid to coax the 2015 African Footballer of the Year out of retirement.

Patrice Neveu’s side are top of Group I in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with two matches left to play, although Sudan, Mauritania and DR Congo are breathing down their necks, with just three points separating first to fourth.

The Leopards are their next opponents in June and Ondimba is hopeful that Aubameyang will make himself available for selection in a bid to help the West Africans book their ticket to Ivory Coast next year.

The 33-year-old has found game time hard to come by at Stamford Bridge following his return to the Premier League in Setember 2022, making just his sixth start in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal last Tuesday.