•••As Osimhen Threatens To Quit
A combined photo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman
By Victory Oghene
Super Eagles chances of winning the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco have dwindled with Victor Osimhen’s bust-up with Ademola Lookman during its encounter with Mozambique.
Although Nigeria crushed Mozambique 4-0 to secure a place in the AFCON quarter-finals, Osimhen and Lookman’s face-off may affect thier chances of liftting the AFCON trophy.
So bad is the situation that Victor Osimhen has threatened to quit the national team.
The rift between Osimhen and Ademola Lookman may affect the chances of the Super Eagles in the next match except looked into by the top heirachchy of Nigeria’s Footbal Federation.
In the 25th minute, Alex Iwobi’s sublime pass released Lookman, who squared for Osimhen to score. The pair celebrated together, sliding across the wet turf with Bruno Onyemaechi. Shortly after half-time, Lookman again turned provider, leaping into Osimhen’s arms after setting him up once more.
The tempo changed afterwards as
Osimhen grew visibly angry and frustrated after several attacking moves ended without the ball reaching him. When Lookman chose to dribble instead of passing in a promising position, and Onyemaechi and Akor Adams later drove into the box rather than squaring to an unmarked Osimhen, the Napoli striker threw his hands up in anger.
Seconds later, as Lookman walked over to take a corner, Osimhen snapped.
He squared up to his teammate, pointing aggressively in his face. Captain Wilfred Ndidi attempted to intervene, only for Osimhen to slap his arm away. In a bizarre twist, it was Mozambique defender Reinildo who stepped in to push him back. Osimhen then signalled to the bench that he wanted to be substituted and was promptly replaced by Moses Simon.
At full time, Osimhen walked straight down the tunnel while the rest of the squad and coaching staff formed a huddle on the pitch. He left the dressing room early and sat alone on the team bus as teammates remained inside conducting media duties.
Reports have it that Osimhen stormed out of the stadium after the match, dropped his accreditation, and declared he was “done” with the national team, insisting he was returning to Turkey but senior Nigeria Football Federation officials intervend and reconciled the differences between the the two players.
This is not the first time Osimhen will be having a face off with a an official of the Super Eagles, recall that in 2024, Osimhen publicly clashed with then-head coach Finidi George on social media.
