Lemina’s Gabon Debut Delayed Again at AFCON Qualifiers
Mario Lemina will once again have to wait to make his long-awaited debut for the Gabon national team.
The Juventus midfielder was expected to feature for the Panthers in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan on Matchday 2. However, his participation has been postponed—this time not due to administrative issues, but at the request of his new club.
Lemina, who recently joined Juventus from Marseille, was granted an exemption by the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) after the Italian champions formally requested that the player be excused from national duty to settle in with his new side.
Gabon coach Jorge Costa had planned to include the 22-year-old in his squad for the crucial qualifier, but with FEGAFOOT honoring Juve’s request, Lemina will not be available for selection.
The midfielder had already missed previous call-ups due to paperwork delays following his switch of allegiance from France to Gabon, the country of his father. This latest development means supporters will now have to wait until the third round of qualifiers to potentially see Lemina earn his first official cap.
Lemina, who has represented France at youth level, officially committed to Gabon earlier this year, raising expectations of a new era in midfield for the national team.
