Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has suggested that star striker Victor Osimhen may face internal consequences after a visible conflict with teammate Ademola Lookman. The friction occurred during Nigeria’s comprehensive 4-0 demolition of Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 on Monday night.
Despite the Super Eagles holding a comfortable three-goal lead in the second half, television cameras captured the two marquee forwards exchanging heated words following a tactical disagreement on the pitch.
The tension escalated when the Galatasaray forward appeared to take offense at a decision made during an attacking phase, leading to a vocal confrontation that required intervention from other squad members. Shortly after the dispute, Osimhen signaled to the technical area for an immediate substitution, prompting Chelle to introduce Paul Onuachu in his place. The striker’s frustration remained evident as he bypassed the post-match celebrations, heading directly to the dressing room once the referee blew the final whistle.
During the post-match press conference at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, Chelle adopted a firm stance when journalists questioned him about the potential rift between his leading attackers. While he acknowledged the incident, the coach emphasized his commitment to maintaining squad harmony and discipline behind closed doors. He made it clear that he would manage the fallout according to his own standards rather than through public scrutiny.
“What happened on the pitch will stay in the group. I don’t need to tell you what will happen, I keep that to me,” Chelle stated to the assembled media.
This development comes at a critical juncture for the Nigerian national team as they prepare for a high-stakes quarter-final encounter in Marrakech this Saturday. The Super Eagles currently await the winner of the Tuesday clash between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. While Lookman has since attempted to downplay the severity of the argument, Chelle’s comments suggest that he intends to address the “behavioral dynamics” of his players to ensure total focus for the remainder of the tournament in Morocco.
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