What was supposed to be a night of pure celebration for Nigerian football has been overshadowed by a shocking on-pitch confrontation between two of Africa’s biggest stars. While the Super Eagles soared to a dominant 4-0 victory over Mozambique to secure an AFCON 2025 quarter-final spot, fans were left stunned by a heated exchange between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
The Moment the Tension Boiled Over
The drama unfolded in the 63rd minute. Despite Nigeria leading 3-0 and Osimhen already having two goals to his name, the Galatasaray striker erupted in fury. The cause? A missed pass from Lookman, who opted to take a shot himself rather than square the ball to an unmarked Osimhen for a certain hat-trick.
The world watched as Osimhen—visibly agitated—confronted the Atalanta winger. Captain Wilfred Ndidi and even a Mozambique defender had to step in to separate the teammates. The situation took a darker turn when Osimhen immediately gestured to the bench, demanding a substitution. He was replaced by Moses Simon and stormed straight down the tunnel at the final whistle, snubbing the team huddle and post-match celebrations.
Inside the Camp: Is There a Rift?
Rumors swirled overnight that the “African Player of the Year” had threatened to leave the camp and return to Turkey. However, team officials have moved swiftly to douse the flames.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, released a statement confirming the matter has been resolved internally:
“The matter has been resolved within the team. We advise everyone to ignore reports suggesting otherwise. It was a moment of competitive passion between brothers.”
Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor also dismissed claims of a permanent rift, stating that the duo was seen together at training the following morning.
What the Players Are Saying
Ademola Lookman, who was named Man of the Match for his goal and two assists, was the picture of calm when questioned about the incident.
“Vic is our number one guy; everybody knows this,” Lookman told reporters. “It was just a discussion on the pitch. There are no issues between us. He is my brother.”
What’s Next for the Super Eagles?
While the “ego clash” dominated the headlines, the Super Eagles’ performance cannot be ignored. With four wins from four matches, Nigeria looks like the team to beat. They now travel to Marrakech for a high-stakes quarter-final clash this Saturday.
Whether this “fiery passion” helps or hurts the team’s chemistry remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Osimhen and Lookman when they take the field again.