Former Super Eagles captain and Chelsea legend John Mikel Obi has defended Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen following his tense on-field confrontation with Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 4–0 victory over Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Gossip News Now reports that although the Super Eagles’ dominant win confirmed their place in the quarter-finals, the result was partly overshadowed by a moment of frustration involving Osimhen in the second half.
The Galatasaray forward appeared visibly upset over what he perceived as selfish decision-making from his teammates in attacking positions. His frustration was directed mainly at Lookman and Bright Osayi-Samuel. In the heat of the moment, he brushed off captain Wilfred Ndidi’s attempt to calm him down and moments later gestured toward the bench as though he wanted to be substituted.
The confrontation did not end on the pitch. After the match, Osimhen chose not to join his teammates for the usual post-match prayers or the celebratory lap of honour, instead heading straight to the dressing room alone.
Lookman later downplayed the issue during the press conference, but the incident sparked criticism from fans who felt Osimhen’s reaction was excessive.
However, Mikel Obi stepped forward to defend the forward’s intensity and passion. Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, he praised Osimhen’s warrior-like approach to the game.
“Victor Osimhen is an incredible young talent. He plays with his heart on his sleeve — a warrior who fights for every ball,” Mikel said.
“He plays in Turkey, where they love that kind of passion. You must fight on the pitch — if you show that hunger, they give you everything. That’s Osimhen’s style. He battles defenders and pushes himself to the limit. I understand his frustration. When you score twice, you want a hat-trick. Strikers live for those moments.”
Mikel added that conflict on the pitch is sometimes a sign of competitiveness, not division.
“I love seeing players argue on the pitch — it shows they care. It’s been a long time since I saw that kind of fire in the national team. Everyone has been too nice. But football isn’t about being nice — you win by being tough, by demanding more from each other. Off the pitch, you settle things, but on the pitch, you fight.”
While Mikel defended Osimhen’s fiery temperament, he acknowledged that certain actions crossed the line — particularly signaling for a substitution and leaving the pitch before his teammates.
“Victor is humble and intelligent,” he noted. “His aggression and warrior spirit are part of what makes him special, and we shouldn’t take that from him. But he also needs to manage it. What I didn’t like was the aftermath — he stopped running, stopped pressing, and walked straight into the dressing room.”
He reminded that no player, no matter how talented, is bigger than the national team.
“It’s always about the team and the country. Nobody is bigger than Nigeria. Jay-Jay, Kanu, myself — we all played and left, but the national team continues.”
© 2025 Gossip News Now a division of CHIEJOS HARBIAN DIGITAL MEDIA LTD. Contact us via admin@gossipnewsnow.online
