While there was hope that Mario Lemina would be part of the Gabon squad for the current international break, the midfielder is unfrotauntely set to sit the next two games out.
Loaned to Fulham for the season by Southampton, the former Juventus man came off at half time in the 2-0 win against West Brom, and Patrice Neveu, the Gabon national team manager, told L’Union last week that his chances of featuring would increase dramatically if he was part of the squad to face West Ham at the weekend.
However, that didn’t happen, as Scott Parker decided to leave Lemina out of the game, which the Cottagers ended up losing 1-0.
Speaking once more to L’Union, Neveu gave an update on the situation, providing a little bit of insight into what went on behind the scenes at Craven Cottage as well.
He said: “As I feared, Mario Lemina won’t be in the squad. His pain, despite positive MRI results, came back. Not wanting to take any risks, Fulham’s coach, Scott Parker, didn’t call him up on Saturday against West Ham. He’s therefore a forfeit for the double matchup Gabon-Gambia on the 12th and 16th of November”.
Born in Libreville in Gabon, Lemina did play for France’s U20s and U21s before declaring to play for his home country back in 2015, for whom he has 15 caps to this day, helping them along with two goals.
His last call up was for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against DR Congo and Angola in November 2019.
