Nigeria’s Super Eagles cruised to a convincing 4–0 victory over Mozambique at the Fes Sports Complex on Monday, but the dominant performance was briefly overshadowed by a moment of visible frustration between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
Osimhen, who netted twice in the AFCON round-of-16 clash, appeared displeased midway through the second half after Lookman chose not to release a pass when the Napoli striker seemed well positioned to score.
The exchange stirred light murmurs among spectators and prompted short-lived concern on the Nigerian bench, even as the Super Eagles maintained complete control of the contest.
The flashpoint occurred around the 63rd minute, with Osimhen seen confronting Lookman, pulling away from captain Wilfred Ndidi and making animated gestures in protest.
Shortly afterward, Osimhen signaled for a substitution and was replaced in the 70th minute by Moses Simon. As he exited the pitch, sections of the crowd voiced their displeasure with scattered boos.
Despite the incident, Nigeria’s momentum never dipped. Goals from Lookman and Akor Adams complemented Osimhen’s brace, sealing a commanding win and securing Nigeria’s place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Addressing the situation after the match, Lookman dismissed talk of any fallout, describing the moment as a routine, emotional exchange that often occurs in top-level football.
“Victor is our main man,” Lookman said.
“He’s a world-class striker and very important to the team. These things happen, but they don’t affect our unity.
“I always play for the team—whether it’s a goal or an assist, the badge comes first.
“Victor’s drive pushes all of us. We understand each other and keep moving forward.
“We stay composed, respect decisions, and focus on what’s next.”
The Atalanta winger later emphasized that Osimhen remains his “brother,” adding that the disagreement was insignificant in the broader context of the team’s success.
From a statistical standpoint, Nigeria’s attack has been among the most potent in the tournament. Osimhen has contributed three goals and three assists, while Lookman has slightly surpassed him with three goals and four assists.
Nevertheless, the incident sparked intense debate online. Video clips circulated showing Osimhen pointing toward Lookman and expressing frustration after the missed passing opportunity.
Some fans criticized the striker’s reaction, questioning his behavior in a match Nigeria were comfortably winning.
Others also highlighted Lookman’s overall contribution, noting that he had already created two clear chances for Osimhen by that point—one leading directly to a goal and another finished by Akor Adams.
Nigeria will now shift focus to the quarter-finals, where they are scheduled to face either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo on January 10.
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