The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has downplayed reports of a rift in the Super Eagles camp at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco following an on-field altercation between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 4–0 victory over Mozambique on Monday.
Nigeria outclassed the Mambas at the Fez Stadium, with Osimhen netting a brace, while Lookman and Akor Adams added a goal apiece to seal a dominant win.
However, the emphatic result was overshadowed by a confrontation between the two former African Players of the Year shortly after the hour mark. Osimhen was later substituted after appearing visibly upset during the exchange.
A video that surfaced online after the match showed Osimhen confronting Lookman over what was believed to be the latter’s failure to pass the ball in a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The Galatasaray striker was also seen heading straight into the dressing room at full time and leaving ahead of his teammates.
While Lookman, who was named Man of the Match, dismissed suggestions of a rift in his post-match interview, the NFF has since confirmed that the issue has been resolved internally.
“There is no problem whatsoever in our camp. Whatever people saw as a crisis between two brothers was easily resolved a couple of hours later. All is good,” Super Eagles Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi, said in a statement issued by the NFF on Tuesday evening.
Reports that Osimhen threatened to leave the team’s camp were also dismissed by Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe.
“The primary issues and the aftermath of the on-field remonstration between two of our players during the game against Mozambique have been resolved internally. Kindly ignore all reports suggesting otherwise,” Efoghe said in a team update shared with journalists.
Despite the assurances from officials, the incident has continued to generate debate among former internationals and football stakeholders.
Veteran journalist Charles Anazodo called for Osimhen to be dropped from the starting line-up ahead of Nigeria’s quarter-final encounter, insisting discipline must be upheld.
“If the coach doesn’t drop Osimhen, it shows that he is bigger than the entire team and the NFF,” Anazodo said during a radio programme.
Veteran football pundit Segun Agbede warned against elevating any player above the team, though he stopped short of calling for Osimhen’s exclusion.
“I don’t think they should drop him, but he must know he is not bigger than his teammates. We have created a monster, and it’s time to tame the monster,” Agbede said.
Football administrator Deji Gbenro was more critical, calling for the striker to be sent home.
“Ideally, he should be sent home. He needs to apologise to his teammates and coaches for that silly behaviour,” Gbenro said.
Former international and 1996 Olympic gold medallist, Obafemi Abiodun, said an apology could avert harsher punishment.
“Sending him home may be too extreme if he apologises. But if he fails to apologise, he should be sent home without delay,” he said.
However, former Super Eagles player and 1980 AFCON winner, Sylvanus Okpala, played down the incident, describing it as a normal occurrence in football.
“These things happen among footballers. Some want to score more, others want to gamble. I don’t think it’s a problem,” Okpala said.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeping trainer Alloy Agu and ex-international Garba Lawal also urged the team to remain focused on the tournament.
“No matter what happens, we must remember that there is another game ahead of us and stay focused,” Agu said.
Lawal added, “I believe this issue should be put aside so the team can focus on the matches ahead.”
Team captain Wilfred Ndidi also described the incident as a product of competitive spirit.
“It was just a competitive mindset. We wanted more,” Ndidi told ESPN.
“We spoke about it in the dressing room, everything is fine. Everyone is in this together.”
Following their qualification for the quarter-finals, the Super Eagles will face Algeria, who edged DR Congo 1–0 after extra time on Saturday in Marrakesh.
