Nigeria’s convincing 4 0 victory over Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 was followed by an unexpected debate after striker Victor Osimhen became involved in a tense exchange with teammate Ademola Lookman.
The incident briefly took the spotlight off a dominant Super Eagles performance that sealed a quarterfinal ticket.
The moment occurred midway through the second half when Osimhen reacted angrily after not receiving a pass, directing sharp words at Lookman that were caught on camera. Despite efforts by captain Wilfred Ndidi to calm the situation, the striker later signalled to be substituted and was met with boos from sections of the crowd as he left the pitch.
The News Chronicle understands that the reaction has sparked concern among fans and observers who fear such moments could affect team unity at a critical stage of the tournament. Online discussions quickly followed, with many supporters questioning the timing and tone of Osimhen’s response, especially in a match Nigeria was comfortably winning.
Lookman, who contributed a goal and two assists on the night, played down the incident afterwards, insisting it did not reflect any division within the squad. He described Osimhen as a key figure in the team and stressed that collective success remains the priority.
Despite the controversy, Osimhen’s two goals pushed his international tally closer to Nigeria’s all time scoring record. The Super Eagles now turn their attention to a quarterfinal showdown as they continue their quest for a first AFCON title since 2013.
