Osimhen Meltdown: Star Storms Off After Lookman Row, Booed by Own Fans
Victor Osimhen’s explosive reaction threatened to steal the spotlight despite Nigeria cruising into the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Monday night.
The Super Eagles booked their place in the last eight with a commanding 4–0 victory over Mozambique, reaffirming their status as one of the tournament favourites after finishing runners-up at the previous AFCON.
Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 20th minute, continuing his impressive run of finding the net in every start at the tournament. Victor Osimhen followed with a second-half brace to take his tally to three goals, before Akor Adams wrapped up the scoring late on.
Nigeria will now face either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarter-finals, but the emphatic win was overshadowed by a heated moment shortly after the hour mark at the Fez Stadium.
Chasing a hat-trick, Osimhen angrily confronted Lookman and Bruno Onyemaechi for not releasing the ball, sparking a verbal exchange that required captain Wilfried Ndidi to step in, with Calvin Bassey also helping to calm the situation.
Moments later, Osimhen asked to be substituted and was withdrawn for Moses Simon, drawing boos from sections of the Nigerian support. He then skipped the team’s post-match huddle and walked straight down the tunnel at full-time.
Video clips circulating online later showed the 27-year-old leaving the dressing room early, passing through the mixed zone without stopping before boarding the team bus.
Lookman, who assisted both of Osimhen’s goals, was quick to downplay the incident afterward.
“The most important thing is that the team won 4–0,” he said. “Victor is our main man, a top striker and a top player. There are no problems between us — it’s just football. He’s my brother.”