Lookman Plays Down Osimhen Rift After Super Eagles’ Win Over Mozambique
Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has dismissed claims of a rift with Victor Osimhen following Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The incident happened during the second half of the round-of-16 match, when both players were involved in a brief on-field disagreement. Team captain Wilfred Ndidi quickly stepped in to calm the situation. Osimhen looked frustrated and was later substituted in the 68th minute for Moses Simon.
Speaking after the match, Lookman played down the incident and insisted it had no impact on the team.
“Vic is our number one guy, everybody knows that,” Lookman said. “He’s a top striker and very important to the team.”
The moment did not affect Nigeria’s performance, as the Super Eagles stayed in full control and extended their perfect record at AFCON 2025 to four wins from four matches.
Nigeria had already taken charge of the game in the first half. Lookman opened the scoring before setting up Osimhen for the second goal. The striker added another after the break, finishing from close range, while Akor Adams completed the rout with a late goal.
Lookman added that individual moments were not important compared to the team’s aim at the tournament.
“I have not seen Osimhen, but I don’t think that matters,” he said. “All of that doesn’t matter.”
The winger was named Man of the Match for the second time at the tournament. He now has three goals and four assists, leading the assists chart at AFCON 2025
Osimhen’s two goals against Mozambique took him to three goals in four matches, with two of them created by Lookman, highlighting their strong partnership despite the brief disagreement.
Both players, winners of the African Footballer of the Year award in 2023 and 2024, remain key to Nigeria’s hopes of lifting their first AFCON title since 2013. The Super Eagles will face either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarter-finals.
