AFCON 2025: Has Osimhen threatened to quit Super Eagles after row with Lookman?

Super Eagles' fine 4–0 victory over Mozambique, which secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, has been plunged into the background by a major crisis involving Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Galatasaray striker reportedly threatened to walk away from the Super Eagles camp altogether despite Nigeria’s impressive win against the Mambas

Osimhen, one of Nigeria’s most important players at this tournament, is said to have dropped his accreditation and declared he was ‘done' with the national team following a heated on-pitch bust-up with teammate Ademola Lookman.

According to reports from Arise News, Osimhen stormed out of the stadium after the match and threatened to return to Turkey, triggering urgent behind-the-scenes intervention from senior Nigeria Football Federation officials.

“Confirmed reports have it that Victor Osimhen said he was done with the national team. He dropped his accreditation and said he was going to Turkey.”

– Arise TV Anchor, Aron Akerejola pic.twitter.com/ilZFiAY8Nm

— @ (@OneJoblessBoy) January 6, 2026

The incident casts a long shadow over what should have been one of Nigeria’s most reassuring nights in Morocco that boosted their status as serious contenders.

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Osimhen v Lookman: From perfect Super Eagles understanding to public breakdown

The rupture was all the more shocking because it came after a display of outstanding attacking chemistry between Osimhen and Lookman.

In the 25th minute, Alex Iwobi’s exquisite 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.

But as Nigeria’s dominance grew, so did Osimhen’s frustration.

Several promising attacks ended without the ball reaching him. When Lookman chose to dribble rather than pass in a good position – and when Onyemaechi and Akor Adams later drove into the box instead of squaring to an unmarked Osimhen – the striker’s body language turned visibly angry.

Then came the flashpoint.

As Lookman walked over to take a corner, Osimhen confronted him, pointing aggressively in his face. Captain Wilfred Ndidi tried to intervene, only for Osimhen to slap his arm away. In a surreal moment, it was Mozambique defender Reinildo who stepped in to separate them.

Osimhen then signalled to the bench that he wanted to be substituted and was promptly replaced by Moses Simon, despite Nigeria already cruising at 3-0.

The fallout continued long after the final whistle. Osimhen walked straight down the tunnel, left the dressing room early, and sat alone on the team bus while teammates were still inside. Those present described a striking absence of any attempt to calm or console the vice-captain.

Has Osimhen left the Super Eagles camp? 

Despite reports suggesting that Osimhen threatened to leave Nigeria’s Morocco camp following the incident on Monday, the Galatasaray striker remains a part of the squad preparing to take on Algeria on Saturday. 

“Victor Osimhen didn’t leave camp. All of those were just talks and people wanting clickbaits. All of those talk in the media that he is threatening to quit – all of that didn’t happen.”

– Austin Okon-Akpan pic.twitter.com/A13uRbFIxz

— @ (@OneJoblessBoy) January 7, 2026

Osimhen was involved in full team training led by head coach Eric Chelle on Tuesday evening, with no traces of animosity between the forward and teammate Ademola Lookman. 

Lookman had early posted a unifying ‘Together always' message with Osimhen on his social media pages to confirm that all issues had been resolved. 

Chelle would be keen to mould the Super Eagles into one indivisible unit before the heavyweight clash against the Desert Warriors. The winner of that tie will face either Morocco or Cameroon in the semifinal of the 2025 AFCON.