The african footballer of the year is back home and received happily

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the newly-crowned

African Player of the Year, received a hero's
homecoming on Friday where he was hailed by
thousands of fans as the pride of Gabon. The
26-year-old Borussia Dortmund star pipped
four-time winner Yaya Toure of Manchester City
and Ivory Coast to win the prestigious award,
an achievement which had fans dreaming of
Africa Cup of Nations success on home soil in
2017.
"He has risen through the ranks and this is a
just reward," said Brice Ignegue, the president
of the Panthers' (the national team's nickname)
fan club. Sabrina, a young fan who came out to
greet Aubameyang, said the player was a
national hero.
"Aubameyang represents Gabon, he is the
national panther. He is the pride of Gabon and
Africa," she said.
Gabon president Ali Bongo Ondimba posted
photos of the player's arrival on his Twitter
account as he welcomed his compatriot to the
presidential palace.
The president immediately conferred upon
Aubameyang one of the country's leading civil
honours, Commander of the National Order of
Merit.
"I am happy and proud with this honour that I
dedicate to the people of Gabon, my family and
you, Mr President," said the Dortmund star.
Aubameyang then was feted by thousands of
fans who packed the Nzeng Ayong stadium
where he showed off the player of the year
trophy.
"Long live Aubameyang, long live Gabon!", they
shouted.
"Now we expect him to win the Africa Cup of
Nations for us in 2017 just like Yaya Toure did
with Ivory Coast," said Achilles, a local student.