By Ghazali Ibrahim
While the Super Eagles cruised to a 4–0 victory over Mozambique in their final Group C match at AFCON 2025, the atmosphere in the Nigerian camp was not without tension. A visible altercation between star striker Victor Osimhen and fellow forward Ademola Lookman during the second half has raised questions about unity within the team.
Eyewitnesses say the disagreement began after a missed opportunity, with Osimhen appearing frustrated that Lookman failed to pass the ball during a key attack.
Cameras caught Osimhen gesturing angrily, while Lookman responded with sharp words of his own. Teammates had to step in to separate the two, and although both players continued the match, the tension was palpable.
Post-match, neither player addressed the incident directly. However, head coach Eric Chelle dismissed the conflict as “passion on the pitch,” adding that such disagreements are normal in high-stakes matches and would be resolved internally.
Fans on social media have been divided with some defending the players’ competitive spirit, others warning that internal conflicts could derail Nigeria’s title hopes.
