Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly threatened to leave Nigeria’s camp in Morocco and return to his club, Galatasaray, after a heated argument with teammate Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The incident happened in the 62nd minute of the match when Osimhen angrily confronted Lookman over a pass. Cameras captured Osimhen telling him, “Listen to me, it is a team game.”
Team captain Wilfred Ndidi tried to calm Osimhen down, but the striker ignored him. Osimhen then signalled to head coach Eric Chelle to substitute him. He stopped playing actively and was eventually replaced by Moses Simon in the 68th minute.
After the final whistle, Osimhen did not join his teammates to celebrate the win. Instead, he walked straight into the dressing room.
According to a source who spoke to Peoples Gazette anonymously, Osimhen was still very angry inside the dressing room. The source claimed the 27-year-old dropped his accreditation tag and threatened to quit the tournament and return to Galatasaray immediately. It was not clear if the issue was later resolved.
At the post-match press conference, Ademola Lookman played down the incident. He said there was no problem between them.
“The team won 4–0. Vic is our number one guy,” Lookman said. “He’s a top striker and a top player. There’s no issue. It’s just football. He’s my brother.”
Head coach Eric Chelle also commented on the situation, saying the matter would be handled internally.
“What happens on the pitch stays within the group,” Chelle said. “I will speak with the players privately. If we want to go far in this tournament, we must stay focused and disciplined.”
Attempts to get a response from the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not answered.