Galatasaray midfielder and Gabon international Mario Lemina has praised Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen after the Nigerian’s spectacular hat-trick in the Turkish side’s 3–0 Champions League victory over Ajax, while teasing their upcoming clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs.
Taking to social media shortly after the final whistle, Lemina wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “+3, the lion roared again @victorosimhen9 you again Congrats!” — a message that both celebrated his teammate’s brilliance and hinted at the friendly rivalry ahead of their countries’ face-off.
Osimhen was in electrifying form on Wednesday night in Amsterdam, scoring all three goals for Galatasaray. The 26-year-old opened the scoring with a trademark header from Leroy Sané’s cross, converted a penalty to double the lead, and sealed his hat-trick with another spot kick in the 78th minute.
The Nigerian’s latest performance made him the top scorer in this season’s Champions League, with six goals to his name. He also became the first Galatasaray player since Burak Yılmaz in 2012 to score a hat-trick in a European competition — a feat that has further solidified his growing reputation as one of Africa’s most prolific strikers.
The camaraderie between Osimhen and Lemina will be briefly set aside next week when Nigeria and Gabon lock horns in Rabat, Morocco, for a crucial World Cup playoff semifinal on 13 November 2025.
Osimhen is expected to lead the Super Eagles’ attack, while Lemina will anchor Gabon’s midfield alongside veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Both players, now teammates in Turkey, will find themselves on opposing sides with national pride at stake.
For Nigeria, the fixture represents another step in their mission to return to the FIFA World Cup after missing out on Qatar 2022. Head coach Finidi George is counting on Osimhen’s clinical form to carry into the national team as the Super Eagles seek early qualification advantage.
Analysts have described Osimhen’s current run of form as “terrifying for defenders.” The striker has now scored 11 goals in his last eight matches across all competitions, leading Galatasaray’s title charge domestically and shining brightly on the continental stage.
Lemina’s compliment adds to a growing list of admirers praising Osimhen’s relentless drive and leadership on the pitch. His passion, energy, and consistency have made him a vital figure not only for Galatasaray but also for Nigeria’s World Cup campaign.
