By Peter Dansu Nigeria’s thumping 4–0 victory over Mozambique should have been a night of celebration. Instead, it ended in shock and tensi...
By Peter Dansu
Nigeria’s thumping 4–0 victory over Mozambique should have been a night of celebration. Instead, it ended in shock and tension as Victor Osimhen reportedly threatened to walk away from the Super Eagles following a heated on pitch clash with Ademola Lookman, report by AriseTV says
The Super Eagles were ruthless and confident, sealing their place in the AFCON quarter finals with one of their most convincing displays of the tournament. It was a performance that suggested a team rediscovering belief after the pain of missing out on a second consecutive World Cup. Goals came freely, rhythm returned, and a last eight meeting with DR Congo now looms.
But beneath the scoreline, trouble was brewing.
Ironically, the night began with clear chemistry between Osimhen and Lookman. In the first half, Alex Iwobi’s perfectly weighted pass found Lookman, who unselfishly squared for Osimhen to score. They celebrated together, sliding across the turf in delight. Early in the second half, Lookman again played provider, and Osimhen leapt into his arms after another well worked goal.
Then the mood shifted.
As Nigeria continued to dominate, Osimhen became visibly irritated when attacking moves broke down without involving him. When Lookman chose to dribble instead of passing in a promising situation, and when Onyemaechi and Akor Adams later surged forward without squaring to an unmarked Osimhen, the Napoli striker’s frustration spilled over.
Moments later, as Lookman prepared to take a corner, Osimhen confronted him angrily, pointing in his face. Captain Wilfred Ndidi tried to calm things down but was brushed aside. In an unusual twist, it was Mozambique defender Reinildo who stepped in to restrain Osimhen. Clearly incensed, Osimhen gestured to the bench that he wanted to come off and was substituted by Moses Simon, despite Nigeria cruising at 3–0.
What followed only deepened the unease.
At full time, while players and coaches gathered on the pitch, Osimhen walked straight down the tunnel. He reportedly left the dressing room early and sat alone on the team bus while teammates attended to media duties. Those present noted the absence of any visible attempt to console or check on the vice captain.
The situation escalated further behind the scenes.
According to Arise TV, reports from within the camp say Osimhen stormed out of the stadium, dropped his accreditation, and declared he was done with the national team, insisting he was heading back to Turkey. Senior Nigeria Football Federation officials were said to have intervened, with the federation president attempting to calm the striker, though some believed he should be given space to cool off.
The incident has reignited concerns about Osimhen’s temperament. In June 2024, he publicly clashed with then coach Finidi George, but this episode is widely seen as more serious, coming in the middle of a major tournament.
The timing could hardly be worse. Lookman has been Nigeria’s standout performer at this AFCON, leading the tournament with seven direct goal contributions. Osimhen, still a fan favourite and just three goals away from Rashidi Yekini’s long standing national record, has cut an increasingly frustrated figure.
For now, Nigeria’s impressive progress at AFCON has been overshadowed. The Super Eagles are soaring on the pitch, but off it, they face an unsettling crisis, with their star striker reportedly threatening to walk away from the green and white at the most critical moment.
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