Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman has moved to quell concerns regarding an on-field altercation with teammate Victor Osimhen during Nigeria’s comprehensive 4-0 victory over Mozambique on Monday night. Despite a dominant performance at the Fes Sports Complex that propelled Nigeria into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a moment of visible friction between the two forwards captured international headlines.
The incident occurred in the second half after Lookman opted for an individual effort rather than passing to a well-positioned Osimhen, leading the Galatasaray striker to voice his frustration and subsequently signal the bench for a substitution.
The temporary tension stood in stark contrast to the duo’s lethal partnership earlier in the match. Lookman served as the primary architect of the Super Eagles’ attack, providing the direct assists for both of Osimhen’s goals in the first half. While the exchange appeared intense on camera—requiring captain Wilfred Ndidi to intervene—Lookman utilized his post-match media availability to emphasize the strength of their personal and professional bond. He insisted that the collective success of the squad far outweighs any brief competitive disagreements that occur in the heat of a knockout fixture.
“I don’t think that is really important, the team won 4-0,” Lookman told journalists during the post-match press conference in Fes. “Vic is my number one guy, everybody knows this. Top striker, top player so all of the rest is not important.”
Head coach Éric Chelle echoed this sentiment, choosing to view the passion displayed by his star attackers as a sign of their winning mentality rather than a rift in the locker room. The Super Eagles have now established themselves as the most potent offensive side in the tournament, recording 12 goals across four matches. Lookman’s individual tally continues to rise, as he now boasts eight direct goal involvements in Morocco, further solidifying his position as a frontrunner for the Player of the Tournament award.
With the Mozambique hurdle cleared, Nigeria now turns its focus toward a quarter-final matchup in Marrakesh this Saturday. The Super Eagles will face the victor of the high-stakes encounter between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the team pursues its first continental title since 2013, the harmony between Lookman and Osimhen will remain vital to overcoming the increasingly difficult challenges of the knockout rounds.
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