Mario Lemina Reacts Emotionally As Gabon Crash Out Against Super Eagles

Thursday night was a tough one for Gabon, and no one felt it more deeply than Mario Lemina. The midfielder, who also plays alongside Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray, wore every emotion on his sleeve as Gabon fell 4–1 to the Super Eagles in the World Cup qualifying playoffs.

The match had started on a shaky note for the Panthers, with Akor Adams pouncing on a mistake from Gabon’s captain to give Nigeria the early lead. Still, Lemina kept pushing, kept fighting, and with just one minute left in the first half, he delivered Gabon’s brightest moment—an equaliser that momentarily reignited hope for a historic World Cup qualification.

But football can be cruel.

The second half swung sharply in Nigeria’s favour, with Victor Osimhen unleashing a deadly brace and Chidera Ejuke sealing the win with a composed finish. For Gabon, it was the end of a dream they had fought tirelessly to chase.

After the final whistle, Lemina turned to his X handle to pour out his frustration—and pride.

He admitted feeling a mix of rage, disappointment, and determination, acknowledging that the team had sworn to fight till the end but fell short. Still, he urged his teammates and fans to see the loss as a lesson, a stepping stone toward future success.

Now, Gabon will shift focus to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they hope to bounce back stronger and more united.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles move on to face DR Congo in the playoff final on Sunday, with Victor Osimhen looking unstoppable and Nigeria eyeing a path to next year’s intercontinental playoffs in Mexico.

But for Lemina, this moment will linger—an emotional reminder of how much the game means, and how deeply he believes in his nation.

Robert Lewandowski’s future at Barcelona continues to drift into uncertainty as the Spanish giants maintain their stance of not renewing his contract beyond the current season. With his agent Pini Zahavi confirming that no extension talks are taking place, the Polish striker is now assessing his next move carefully — and contrary to recent rumours, that next move is unlikely to lead him to Galatasaray.

While Lewandowski has been linked with Saudi Arabia, Atletico Madrid, and lately the Turkish Super Lig champions, journalist Ertem Sener has revealed that the former Bayern Munich star is simply not considering a switch to Galatasaray. And the reason is straightforward: he does not want to become Victor Osimhen’s backup.

Galatasaray’s recent ambitions have been clear. After years of domestic dominance, the club has been pushing aggressively to become a consistent force in European competitions. Their statement signing of Victor Osimhen sent shockwaves through the football world, and with ongoing tension around Mauro Icardi — including wage demands nearing €10 million and dissatisfaction with his reduced role — the Turkish champions are exploring additional firepower.

They have been linked with a number of forwards such as Ademola Lookman and Benfica’s Pavlovic, and although Lewandowski is admired, he is far down the priority list. Sener explained that the Poland captain is not interested in any move that places him behind Osimhen, especially when he still sees himself as a starter at top clubs.

According to Sener, Lewandowski would only consider a Turkish option if it offered guaranteed first-team football. He believes Fenerbahçe, not Galatasaray, aligns better with that idea. For now, though, Lewandowski remains open to a variety of destinations — particularly those that respect his status and offer a lead role.

Meanwhile, Barcelona themselves are already thinking ahead. Osimhen is reportedly one of the top names on their list of potential replacements for Lewandowski. Internal discussions have taken place, highlighting just how highly the Catalan club values the Nigerian striker’s profile.

As the season progresses, more clarity will emerge. But one thing is certain: Lewandowski has no plans to play backup to anyone — not even Victor Osimhen, one of the most explosive strikers in world football.

Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City has once again become a headline conversation, but former City forward Paul Dickov believes the Catalan genius isn’t going anywhere just yet. Despite reports hinting that Guardiola might leave next summer, Dickov insists the City boss still has the hunger, energy and tactical sharpness to remain in charge until the end of his contract in 2027.

This comes after Guardiola himself admitted earlier in the year that he would “stop coaching” once his Manchester City chapter ends. The comment triggered waves of speculation, even though Pep later joked that his break might not come until “2035.” For now, he seems fully committed to the job, repeatedly stressing that his mission at City is far from complete. He believes his team can still reach new levels, and according to him, the energy inside the camp has returned stronger than ever.

Dickov agrees. Speaking recently, he explained that Guardiola looks just as fresh and driven as he did the day he stepped through the Etihad doors. He praised the atmosphere Pep has built — one where both staff and players feel motivated to give everything. With City undergoing a strategic rebuild featuring younger players and new tactical ideas, Dickov believes Pep is genuinely enjoying this phase of the project.

The more intriguing talking point is the ongoing comparison between Guardiola and his former assistant, Mikel Arteta. Arsenal may be four points ahead of City in the Premier League table, but Dickov insists that Guardiola remains unmatched when it comes to tactical brilliance. The recent 3–0 win over Liverpool was his perfect example: a match where City’s fluid structure, intelligent movement and in-game adjustments completely overwhelmed Jürgen Klopp’s side.

Guardiola’s ability to tweak the shape, rotate roles and control the rhythm of matches continues to set him apart. Even when critics claim he relies too much on playing from the back, he has shown this season that he is more than willing to go direct to Erling Haaland when needed — a reminder that his philosophy is adaptable, not rigid.

For Dickov, that is the difference. Arteta is exceptional, but Pep is still the master. And as long as he remains at Manchester City, the Premier League will continue to witness tactical innovation at its highest level.

So, despite rumours of an early exit, all signs point toward Guardiola staying put for at least two more years. The project is thriving, the motivation is intact, and the competitive fire is still burning. For City fans — and for football lovers who appreciate a managerial genius — that’s very good news.