Nigeria cruised into the 2025 AFCON quarter-finals with a 4-0 demolition of Mozambique, but the victory was marred by a public fallout between star duo Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.
Despite assisting one of Osimhen’s two goals, Lookman became the target of the striker’s fury in the 63rd minute after failing to pass during a scoring opportunity.
A masked Osimhen was caught on camera shouting, “No try am again” (don’t try that again), before demanding a substitution.
Captain Wilfried Ndidi had to restrain Osimhen during the heated exchange.
Nigerian fans booed Osimhen as he left the pitch. After the whistle, he reportedly shunned the team huddle, stormed down the tunnel, and waited alone on the team bus.
Lookman, who has a tournament-high seven goal contributions, dismissed the rift: “It’s just football… He’s my brother! The team won 4-0; all the rest is not important.”
Goals from Lookman, Akor Adams, and a brace from Osimhen sealed the win.
Nigeria now moves on to the quarter-finals to face either Algeria or DR Congo, with manager Eric Chelle insisting there is “no issue” within the squad.
