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Ademola Lookman Speaks Out After Clash With Victor Osimhen
Nigeria secured passage into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with ease, defeating Mozambique 4-0 in Fes, Morocco. In the heat of the encounter, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were involved in an on-the-pitch altercation and the latter has now spoken out about the war of words with his compatriot.
The Super Eagles, managed by Eric Chelle, were much the better side from start to finish, and it was Lookman who opened the scoring on the 20-minute mark. Osimhen joined the goal-getting party five minutes later, extending their lead to two before he bagged his second in the 47th minute.
Akor Adams, who plays for La Liga side Sevilla at club level, finished off their four-goal rout over Mozambique with 15 minutes left on the clock but Osimhen, who is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in world football, had already demanded Chelle to substitute him by that point.
Watch the highlights from Nigeria 4-0 Mozambique below:
Lookman Speaks Out After Clashing With Osimhen in AFCON Match
Lookman and Osimhen, Nigeria‘s two talismen, clashed in the 63rd minute after the former missed a chance when the latter was in a much better position. The Galatasaray striker was captured on camera yelling at Lookman and was first pulled away by captain Wilfried Ndidi.
The wild scenes caught the attention of many – and that is especially the case given the two beamed in happiness in the 25th minute after Looksman assisted Osimhen. Just after the nations emerged from the dressing room, Lookman jumped into Osimhen’s arms after setting him up again.
Things turned sour between the two later on in the match, however, as the footage shows a masked Osimhen then pointing his finger angrily at his fellow countryman before shouting his displeasure. According to Nigeria newspaper Punch, he could be heard saying in pidgin, “No try am again,” which means “do not try that again” at the end.
Osimhen, formerly of Napoli and Lille, subsequently asked to be substituted off. Replaced by Moses Simon as a result, the Nigeria contingent inside Complexe Sportif de Fes booed him off the pitch.
Hinting whether any distractions could dampen Nigeria’s chances of heading to the final of AFCON, Lookman said: “No, no, no. Focus. We’re all focused. [We’re] all looking forward to the next game,”
“Keep supporting us, please, we need your support. We need you behind us and you guys really push us forward. Come with us to the quarter-finals, let’s go!”
Lookman, who has recently been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, was then asked about Chelle’s post-match comments about there being ‘no issue’ between the 28-year-old and Osimhen. “It’s just football,” the forward said. “It’s always football. He’s my brother!”
Nigeria 4-0 Mozambique: Victor Osimhen Stormed Down the Tunnel at Full-Time
According to The Athletic, Osimhen – a 34-goal, 50-cap Nigeria international – rushed straight down the tunnel upon the full-time whistle. The rest of the squad and the Super Eagles coaching staff formed a huddle on the pitch, but their star striker was already in the dressing room.
Usually, the Lagos-born marksman is the last to leave, but reports have suggested that he was sat on the coach by himself after his public altercation with Lookman.
The Athletic also relayed Lookman’s post-match comments. The ex-Charlton Athletic man was asked about the argument after the game and if he had spoken to his teammate.
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“I have not seen him, but I don’t really think that is important,” London-born Lookman told reporters. “The team won 4-0. Vic [Victor Osimhen] is our number one guy. Everybody knows this. He is a top striker and a top player. All the rest of that is not important.”
Now just two wins away from the final, Nigeria’s impressive push for AFCON glory continued following their resounding 4-0 victory over Mozambique. Next up, they’ll lock horns with either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarter-final as the two sides face one another in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.
