AFCON 2025: NFF Releases Statement After Lookman-Osimhen Heated Exchange
- The Nigeria Football Federation has released a statement after the heated clash between Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen
- The two stars clashed during the Super Eagles' 4-0 win over Mozambique in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- The team, led by Eric Chelle and Wilfred Ndidi, all maintained diplomacy about the incident and declined to make a public comment
The Nigeria Football Federation has published a statement after the heated exchange between top stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
The incident overshadowed Nigeria’s impressive 4-0 win over the Mambas of Mozambique during the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Source: Getty Images
Osimhen refused to join his teammates’ celebratory huddle after the match and did not grant any media interviews, immediately walking to the team bus alone.
The incident infuriated Nigerians, many of whom called for strict measures against the Galatasaray striker over consistent petulance towards his teammates.
However, coach Eric Chelle and captain Wilfred Ndidi have dismissed any escalation, claiming the matter was resolved immediately between Lookman and Osimhen.
NFF reacts to Lookman-Osimhen rift
In a statement on the NFF website, the football body clarified the incident between the two players and dismissed reports of further escalation.
Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor described the incident as a crisis between brothers, which has been resolved and did not go beyond that.
“There is no problem whatsoever in our camp. Whatever people saw as a crisis between two brothers was easily resolved a couple of hours later. All is good, and we are presently at training,” he said.
Several members of the team, including senior players Moses Simon and Chidozie Awaziem, have all downplayed the severity of the incident.
Lookman spoke about it after the game and has made a series of posts on his social media pages, which suggest that the issue is behind him.
However, Osimhen has not made a comment about the rumoured rift.
Akor Adams allowed to leave Nigeria camp
Akor Adams confirmed after his first AFCON goal that his mother had been hospitalised in Fez, and he had been allowed to visit her.
The team administrator added that the player only left for a check and not a prolonged stay.
“He took permission to go and see his mother, who was hospitalised here in Fès, and returned in less than an hour,” he added.
Source: Getty Images
The team has turned their attention to the next match after CAF confirmed its quarter-final opponent would be the Desert Foxes of Algeria.
The North Africans defeated the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 with Aldi Boulbina’s late goal to book a last-eight tie against the Super Eagles.
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Lookman: Activist reacts as Osimhen reportedly threatens to quit Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 squad
Nigeria's players and crew will leave Fez for Marrakech on Thursday ahead of the match at Grande Stade de Marrakech on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 5 pm.
CAF sends message to Super Eagles
Legit.ng previously reported that CAF had sent a subtle message to Osimhen and Lookman after their heated exchange during Nigeria's R16 win.
The two players clashed in the game against Mozambique, an incident which overshadowed the brilliant performance and result at AFCON 2025.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
