Arsenal and Gabonese forward, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, received a surprise hero’s welcome in Gabon this week. The 29-year-old makes a long-awaited return after suspending his availability to play for the West African nation.
Aubameyang will don the Gabonese jersey in a 2019 AFCON qualifier against Burundi this Saturday, his first appearance since 10 December 2018 in a 3-0 win over South Sudan.
Aubameyang’s brother, Willy, captured the moment as the Arsenal star reiceved wild admiration at the Libreville airport.
Here is the video of his welcome at Gabon;
The 29-year-old was not available in Gabon’s last two games – a 1-0 win over South Sudan and a 1-0 defeat by Mali – despite having been named in both squads. Meanwhile, no official statement was released for boycotting both games, while reports at other quarters claim he was unhappy with the plane Gabon had chartered for the journey.
Aubameyang then missed the match with Mali amid claims that he was set to retire from international duty at the age of 29. However, manager Daniel Cousin dismissed those fears last week, telling the Gabonese News Agency: “Pierre is indeed summoned.