Osimhen Remains in AFCON Camp as NFF Confirms Rift with Lookman Resolved
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports suggesting that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is set to leave the team’s camp at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following his on-field outburst during Nigeria’s round-of-16 clash against Mozambique.
Global Mirror News gathered that a Senior NFF Official confirmed the matter has been fully resolved internally, insisting there was never any discussion about Osimhen exiting the tournament.
The clarification was made public by FIFA and CAF-accredited journalist Adepoju Samuel, who said he spoke directly with the official after the incident.
According to Samuel’s post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the official stated: “Everything has been sorted since last night, and we are all good.
There was no discussion about Osimhen leaving the tournament. The issue has been resolved as a family.”
The incident occurred in the 63rd minute of Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique, when Osimhen was visibly frustrated after teammate Ademola Lookman missed a scoring opportunity despite the Galatasaray striker being unmarked.
Television footage showed Osimhen angrily confronting Lookman, briefly pulling away from Captain Wilfred Ndidi, and gesturing aggressively at the Atalanta forward while shouting in protest.
At one point, Osimhen was heard saying in Nigerian pidgin, “No try am again,” loosely translated as “do not try that again.”
Shortly after the confrontation, the striker requested to be substituted and was booed by some sections of the crowd as Moses Simon replaced him.
The moment sparked widespread criticism on Social Media, with many fans questioning Osimhen’s conduct despite Nigeria’s commanding performance.
However, further details emerging from the camp indicate that tensions were quickly defused.
Global Mirror News also gathered that Lookman had, before the incident, already created two clear chances for Osimhen in the match—one resulting in a direct assist, while the other led to a goal through Akor Adams—underscoring that the disagreement was rooted in match intensity rather than deeper discord.
In a move widely seen as an attempt to calm speculation, Lookman on Tuesday shared photos of himself alongside Osimhen and Bruno Onyemaechi taken after the Mozambique game.
The images were posted on his official Instagram page with the caption, “TOGETHER ALWAYS,” signaling unity within the squad.
Additionally, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle and team captain Wilfred Ndidi have both played down the incident, dismissing claims of a lasting rift between the two attackers.
They urged Nigerians to continue supporting the team as attention shifts to the quarter-final stage, where Nigeria is set to face either Algeria or DR Congo.
As the Super Eagles progress deeper into the tournament, the NFF maintains that harmony has been restored within the camp, stressing that internal disagreements are part of competitive football and have no bearing on the team’s collective ambition at AFCON 2025.
