Nigeria’s dominant 4–0 victory over Mozambique, which secured their spot in the AFCON quarter-finals, has been eclipsed by a high-stakes standoff involving Victor Osimhen.
Despite the Super Eagles putting on a masterclass on Monday evening to bounce back from their World Cup qualification failure, the team now faces a potential crisis as their star striker reportedly threatens to quit the national team.
The tension was unexpected, especially since Osimhen and Ademola Lookman had shown great synergy early in the match, celebrating together after Lookman assisted Osimhen in the 25th minute. However, the atmosphere soured as the game progressed.
Osimhen’s frustration became apparent when several teammates, including Lookman, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Akor Adams, opted to shoot or dribble rather than pass to him while he was unmarked.
The situation reached a breaking point as Lookman approached to take a corner.
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.
Following this outburst, Osimhen demanded to be subbed off and was replaced by Moses Simon while the team was up 3–0.
The rift deepened after the final whistle. While the rest of the squad celebrated on the pitch, Osimhen reportedly retreated to the team bus alone, bypassing media duties. Sources within the camp describe a total breakdown in communication.
Confirmed reports from within the camp say 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.
While NFF leadership is reportedly trying to mediate the situation, other officials suggest the striker should be given space.
This incident has reignited debates over Osimhen’s temperament, reminiscent of his June 2024 social media clash with former coach Finidi George.
The timing is particularly difficult for the squad; while Lookman is currently the tournament’s top performer with seven goal contributions, Osimhen is just three goals away from Rashidi Yekini’s all-time scoring record.
As Nigeria prepares for a quarter-final match, the status of their star forward remains the biggest question mark.
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