Sunday Oliseh Accuses Victor Osimhen of Costing Nigeria AFCON 2025 Trophy
- Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh has accused Victor Osimhen of costing Nigeria the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title
- Oliseh referred to the incident between Osimhen and Ademola Lookman as the decisive moment that decided the outcome
- The AFCON 1994 winner has been a vocal critic of the Galatasaray forward, particularly his attitude in the national team
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Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh has accused Victor Osimhen of costing Nigeria the title at the recently-concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Nigeria won the ‘golden’ bronze after defeating the Pharaohs of Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the third-place playoff match at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
Source: Getty Images
According to CAF, the Super Eagles faced Egypt in the playoffs after both sides lost their semi-final matches to Morocco and Senegal, respectively.
The Super Eagles had a brilliant performance at the tournament, playing free-flowing attacking football under Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle.
Oliseh hits out at Victor Osimhen
Sunday Oliseh has called the moment Osimhen and Ademola Lookman clashed at AFCON 2025 as the turning point that cost Nigeria the title.
The two players had a heated exchange during Nigeria's 4-0 win over the Mambas of Mozambique in the Round of 16 at Stade de Fez.
The two clashed after Lookman stood up for Bruno Onyemaechi, whom Osimhen had earlier told off for failing to release him on goal when he had the ball.
The Galatasaray star reportedly asked to be substituted and headed straight to the team bus, falling to speak to the media after the match.
Head coach Eric Chelle and captain Wilfred Ndidi quickly dismissed the situation from the public eye and said that it would be sorted out internally.
Oliseh has pinpointed that moment as a costly one for the team at AFCON 2025.
“Let's look at the toxicity that might have caused us [Nigeria] the AFCON title,” Oliseh said on the Global Football Insight Podcast.
Oliseh remarked:
“We are confusing talent with license. Victor Osimhen is world-class, but talent is not a license to destroy team chemistry. Look at the evidence.
“Since that public outburst against Ademola Lookman, one of our brightest lights, Lookman became a shadow of himself, and we lost the bite.”
The former Super Eagles midfielder claimed that the incident cost Nigeria against Morocco, as Lookman, who was Nigeria's top attacker at the tournament, was not at 100% because his focus had been broken.
Source: Getty Images
He added:
“The conflict did its damage. We didn't just lose a game, we lost the psychological edge needed to win. What is worse, and frankly, what is most dangerous for our football is the fan culture that now tolerates this,” he added.
Lookman had a decent performance against Algeria in the quarter-final, while Osimhen scored and assisted, and both players celebrated together, appearing to dispel any past tension.
Oliseh also pointed to Osimhen’s public rant at former head coach Finidi George on an Instagram live session as one of the moments of indiscipline Nigerian football has failed to curb.
Osimhen speaks after rift with Lookman
Legit.ng previously reported that Victor Osimhen spoke after his rift with Lookman during the Round of 16 win over Mozambique in Fez.
The striker appreciated Nigerians for their support after beating Algeria in the quarter-final, and failed to directly address the incident.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
