By Our Correspondent
Victor Osimhen was at the centre of controversy during Nigeria’s AFCON campaign after a heated on-field exchange with teammate Ademola Lookman reportedly escalated into a tense situation within the Super Eagles camp.
The incident occurred during Nigeria’s emphatic victory, when television cameras captured Osimhen visibly upset with Lookman over a missed attacking opportunity. The disagreement, which unfolded in full view of fans and officials, continued briefly after the final whistle, raising concerns about unity within the squad.
Reports later emerged claiming that Osimhen, still frustrated after the match, dropped his AFCON accreditation and threatened to quit the national team camp entirely. According to those reports, the Napoli striker was so angered by the episode that he considered leaving the tournament and returning to club football.
The situation prompted swift intervention from team officials and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). While confirming that a disagreement did take place, the NFF strongly denied claims that Osimhen had quit or was planning to leave the squad. Federation officials described the incident as an emotional reaction common in high-pressure tournament football and insisted the matter was resolved internally.
Ademola Lookman also played down the clash, describing Osimhen as “a brother” and stressing that the exchange was driven by the shared desire to win rather than personal animosity. Team sources say senior players and coaching staff held discussions behind closed doors to ensure focus returned fully to Nigeria’s AFCON objectives.
Osimhen remains an integral part of the Super Eagles setup, and officials maintain that the squad is united ahead of their next fixture. With the knockout stages intensifying, Nigeria will hope the brief controversy serves as a reminder of the fine margins between passion and distraction in the pursuit of continental glory.
