Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 triumph over Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final qualifiers was overshadowed by internal tensions, as reports suggest Victor Osimhen threatened to leave the national team following an on-field confrontation with teammate Ademola Lookman.
The match began on a high note for the Super Eagles. Alex Iwobi orchestrated the opening goal, threading a perfect pass to Lookman, who set up Osimhen to break the deadlock. The duo celebrated alongside Bruno Onyemaechi, marking moments of promising attacking chemistry that continued into the second half. Lookman again created an opportunity for Osimhen, further highlighting their early synergy.
Frustration quickly replaced camaraderie for the Napoli forward. Sources indicate Osimhen grew increasingly annoyed when Lookman chose to dribble rather than pass in critical areas. He also reacted angrily when Onyemaechi and Akor Adams carried the ball into scoring positions instead of laying it off for him.
Tensions escalated when Lookman moved to take a corner kick. Osimhen confronted him directly, pointing at his face, prompting intervention from captain Wilfred Ndidi, who was reportedly pushed aside. Even Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava stepped in to separate the two players.
The situation intensified as Osimhen signalled for a substitution, with Moses Simon replacing him despite Nigeria leading 3–0. Reports claim he headed straight down the tunnel after the final whistle, leaving teammates and coaching staff on the pitch to complete media duties. Allegedly, he sat alone on the team bus, visibly upset, and later departed the stadium, dropping his accreditation while reportedly declaring he was “finished” with the national team and intended to return to Turkey.
Officials from the Nigeria Football Federation reportedly moved swiftly to calm the situation. Some insiders, however, suggested Osimhen should be given time to cool down before further action is taken.
The episode has raised concerns about the striker’s temperament, months after a widely publicized fallout with former head coach Finidi George in June 2024. The timing is particularly sensitive, as Lookman has been Nigeria’s standout performer in this year’s AFCON, contributing seven direct goals—three goals and four assists—the highest in the tournament so far.
Despite the incident, Osimhen remains a fan favorite and sits just three goals shy of Rashidi Yekini’s all-time national scoring record. Still, his visible frustration during recent matches has drawn attention away from Nigeria’s strong performance and threatens squad harmony ahead of crucial fixtures.
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