AFCON 2025: “It’s just football” - Ademola Lookman downplays heated exchange with Victor Osimhen against Mozambique

by Devesh Jaganath

image AFCON 2025: “It’s just football” - Ademola Lookman downplays heated exchange with Victor Osimhen against Mozambique
The Nigerian national football team booked their spot in the quarter-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique on Monday. However, most of the headlines following the match were focused on an on-field spat between the Super Eagles' stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

Lookman lifts lid on blow-up with Osimhen in AFCON last-16

On a night when Nigeria were expected to celebrate a stunning performance that secured their spot in the quarter-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and confirmed our football predictions, an on-field spat between some of the team’s stars left a sour taste in the mouths of Super Eagles fans. 

The incident occurred just after the hour mark, when Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen lost his cool with Ademola Lookman and Bruno Onyemaechi for not passing him the ball for what could have been his third goal on the night. 

Lookman had set up the Super Eagles’ number nine for both his goals earlier in the piece, but that did not stop the Gala attacker from berating the Atalanta man and requesting to be substituted after captain Wilfried Ndidi intervened. 

Osimhen’s antics did not stop after being withdrawn, though, as he cut a frustrated figure on the bench, opted to skip the team’s post-match huddle on the pitch, and left the change room before everyone else. However, when asked for his reaction after the match, Lookman poured could water over the issue, saying: 

“I don't really think that's really important, the team won 4-0. He's our number one guy, everyone knows this. Top striker, top player, the rest is not really important. There are no issues between me and Victor. It's just football. He is my brother.”

Head coach Eric Chelle shared similar sentiments, saying that the incident was not a major issue for the team and explained that it would be dealt with in-house, while refusing to provide any further details around the matter. 

 

NFF confirm Super Eagles firmly focused on AFCON quarter-final clash

afcon_lookman_osimhen_2

Following the altercation, Super Eagles fans took to social media to criticise Osimhen for his reaction, with many pointing out that it was not the first time that the star striker’s volatile temperament had spilt over.

The 26-year-old previously had a public fallout with former Nigeria head coach Finidi George, which ultimately led to George’s resignation, while Osimhen also stormed off the pitch after Chelle withdrew him during the group stages of this competition. 

Despite this, the Nigerian Football Federation have come forward and confirmed that the matter has been fully resolved within the squad and reinforced that the team’s dressing room remains united and fully focused on their upcoming quarter-final clash against Algeria this weekend. 

Both Osimhen and Lookman have been in excellent form for the Super Eagles at the 2025 AFCON, with the former now on three goals and an assist in four games, while the latter has notched up three goals and four assists so far.