Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique to book a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was eclipsed by dramatic scenes involving star striker Victor Osimhen, who is now reportedly threatening to walk away from the national team.
The Super Eagles delivered one of their most commanding performances of the tournament on Monday, brushing aside the Mambas with ease as they responded strongly to the lingering disappointment of missing out on qualification for a second consecutive FIFA World Cup. Ademola Lookman and Osimhen both found the net, with Akor Adams also on the scoresheet, as Nigeria recorded the biggest win of the competition so far.
However, celebrations were quickly drowned out by a heated on-field altercation between Osimhen and Lookman that raised serious concerns within the Nigerian camp.
The clash was all the more surprising given the pair’s earlier chemistry. In the 25th minute, Alex Iwobi released Lookman with a defence-splitting pass, and the Atalanta winger squared unselfishly for Osimhen to score. Shortly after the break, Lookman again turned provider, setting up Osimhen for his second goal as the two celebrated together.
Moments later, tensions flared.
Osimhen became visibly frustrated after several promising attacks ended without the ball being played to him. When Lookman opted to dribble rather than pass in one instance, and Onyemaechi and Akor Adams later drove into the box instead of squaring to the unmarked striker, Osimhen reacted angrily, throwing his hands up in protest.
As Lookman moved to take a corner, Osimhen confronted him aggressively, pointing in his face. Captain Wilfred Ndidi attempted to calm the situation but was brushed aside, while Mozambique defender Reinildo bizarrely stepped in to separate the Nigerian players. Osimhen then gestured to the bench and was substituted moments later, despite Nigeria holding a comfortable 3–0 lead.
After the final whistle, the Napoli striker walked straight down the tunnel as the rest of the squad and coaching staff gathered on the pitch. He reportedly left the dressing room early and sat alone on the team bus, declining to join teammates for post-match duties.
Reports from within the camp later claimed Osimhen stormed out of the stadium, dropped his accreditation, and declared he was “done” with the national team, insisting he was returning to Turkey. Senior Nigeria Football Federation officials were said to have intervened to calm the situation, with the federation’s president reportedly involved, although some officials believed the striker should be left alone to cool off.
The episode has reignited concerns over Osimhen’s temperament, coming months after his public fallout with former head coach Finidi George. This incident, however, is viewed by many around the team as a more serious flashpoint.
In contrast, Lookman sought to play down the altercation, insisting it was nothing more than a football disagreement.
“No, I have not seen him yet. Nothing happened. It was just a discussion on the pitch,” Lookman told reporters after the match in Fez. “It’s just football. He is my brother.”
The timing of the dispute is delicate for Nigeria. Lookman has been the Super Eagles’ standout performer at this AFCON, registering seven direct goal contributions—three goals and four assists—the highest in the tournament. Osimhen, just three goals shy of Rashidi Yekini’s all-time Nigeria scoring record, has cut a visibly frustrated figure despite scoring twice against Mozambique.
Nigeria will now face either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the quarter-finals, but for now, their impressive progress on the pitch has been overshadowed by an unsettling off-field crisis involving their talismanic striker.
