Nigeria’s dominant 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 should have been a moment of pure celebration, but instead, it has sparked a heated debate over the conduct of star striker Victor Osimhen. Despite netting two goals in the match, the Galatasaray forward found himself at the center of a storm following a visible on-field spat with teammate Ademola Lookman.
The tension boiled over in the 62nd minute when Lookman opted not to pass to Osimhen. The striker reacted with visible anger, shouting and pointing at his teammate while cameras caught him warning Lookman in pidgin, “No try am again.” Although captain Wilfred Ndidi stepped in to play peacemaker, the damage was done. Shortly after the exchange, Osimhen requested a substitution and was met with a chorus of boos from sections of the crowd as he made way for Moses Simon in the 68th minute.
The fallout from the incident has been swift, with many observers questioning the striker’s leadership and temperament. Ibraheem Abdullateef, a senior aide to the Kwara State Governor, took to social media to voice his disappointment, noting that while Osimhen possesses immense talent, his attitude toward his teammates often lacks maturity. Abdullateef warned that such public displays of frustration could breed distrust within the squad and stifle the very creativity that has brought the Super Eagles this far.
Fans across social media platforms were equally unforgiving, with many describing the outburst as unprofessional and irritating. Critics pointed out the irony of the situation, noting that Lookman had actually provided the assist for Osimhen’s second goal earlier in the game. The prevailing sentiment among the Nigerian faithful is that no player, regardless of their status, should allow their ego to overshadow the collective success of the team, especially when they are winning so convincingly.
Ademola Lookman, who finished the game with a goal and two assists, was quick to downplay the friction after the final whistle. He described Osimhen as the team’s “number one guy” and insisted that such heated moments are simply part of the game. Lookman emphasized that his focus remains on the badge and maintaining the squad’s togetherness as they progress in the tournament.
While the drama continues to dominate headlines, Osimhen’s brace has brought him to 34 international goals, just three shy of Rashidi Yekini’s legendary record. For now, the Super Eagles are preparing for a high-stakes quarter-final clash against either Algeria or DR Congo. The big question remains whether the team can maintain its harmony and discipline as they chase their first AFCON title since 2013.
