Mario Lemina has launched a scathing attack on those he believes contributed to the tragic death of fellow Gabonese footballer Aaron Boupendza, accusing members of the late striker’s inner circle of playing a role in the events leading to his demise.
Boupendza, who was just 28, died earlier this week after reportedly falling from the 11th floor of his residence in China.
He had been playing for Zhejiang FC since January, following a career that included spells at Hatayspor, Girondins de Bordeaux, and FC Cincinnati. Local authorities have ruled the incident an accident, but the verdict has been met with scepticism, grief, and growing frustration among his compatriots.
Among the loudest voices demanding accountability is that of Lemina, a former teammate and close friend of Boupendza.
In a raw and emotional message shared via Instagram, the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder expressed both his devastation and fury.
Though he stopped short of naming individuals, his accusations were pointed and direct.
“These same people who called themselves brothers, friends, or others… I hope they will at least ask his parents for forgiveness,” Lemina wrote.
“They gave him bad advice, pretended to love him, and steered him down a path that wasn’t his. And now, we’ve lost someone who was full of joy, full of talent, and full of heart.”
His message suggests that Boupendza’s final months may have been marked by poor decisions influenced by individuals close to him — people Lemina believes did not have the striker’s best interests at heart.
He describes the former Gabon international as a “pure soul” and a “victim of a poisonous circle,” indicating that beyond the official findings, he believes a deeper, more troubling reality lies behind the tragedy.
Boupendza had been a rising star in African football, known for his dynamic forward play and sharp eye for goal.
His death has left a nation in mourning and raised a flood of unanswered questions among fans, family, and teammates.
While the investigation by Chinese authorities concluded quickly, citing an accidental fall, Lemina’s powerful words suggest the footballing community in Gabon remains far from satisfied with the outcome.
The midfielder’s outburst has struck a chord with many Gabonese citizens, who have taken to social media echoing calls for further scrutiny and transparency. For Lemina, this isn’t just a time for grief — it is a moment for reckoning.
“Aaron trusted people who did not deserve it,” he added. “Those who smiled with him while leading him astray must now live with what they’ve done. Let them look his parents in the eyes. Let them explain why their son is no longer with us.”
As tributes continue to pour in from across the African football world, the shock surrounding Boupendza’s sudden passing has been compounded by the raw emotional fallout among those who knew him best.
For Lemina and many others, the wounds left behind are made deeper by the belief that his death could, and should, have been prevented.
