Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique at the Africa Cup of Nations was meant to be a night of celebration.
However, an unexpected touchline incident involving Victor Osimhen quickly shifted attention away from the scoreline.
The Super Eagles striker found himself at the center of criticism after a heated confrontation with teammate Ademola Lookman.
The moment unfolded during the Round of 16 clash on Monday and was captured clearly on camera.
Osimhen appeared visibly angry in the 63rd minute after Lookman missed a scoring chance.
The Atalanta winger had opted to take a shot instead of passing to Osimhen, who was unmarked inside the penalty area.
However, footage showed Osimhen being restrained briefly by captain Wilfred Ndidi before breaking free.
He was then seen pointing aggressively at Lookman while voicing his frustration. He was later heard saying in pidgin English, “No try am again,” loosely translated as “Don’t try that again.”
What made the incident more striking was the context of the match. By that point, Lookman had already created two clear chances for Osimhen.
In addition, one of those chances resulted in a direct assist. Another goal-scoring opportunity had also come through Akor Adams earlier in the game.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles remained dominant on the pitch. Mozambique struggled to cope with Nigeria’s pace and movement.
The match eventually ended in a commanding 4–0 win, which sealed Nigeria’s place in the quarter-finals.
However, Osimhen’s frustration appeared to linger. Shortly after the incident, he was substituted and replaced by Moses Simon.
Moreover, Nigerian football supporters took to social media to express mixed reactions. While some defended Osimhen’s desire to win, others described his conduct as unnecessary.
The Super Eagles have been praised for their togetherness throughout the tournament. Therefore, any visible internal conflict raises concerns ahead of tougher matches.
Despite the controversy, Nigeria’s performance remained impressive. The coaching crew is expected to address the issue internally.
