Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has come out strongly in defence of Victor Osimhen following intense media discussions surrounding the striker’s on-field disagreement with teammate Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s recent AFCON outing.
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Speaking to the media, Ighalo described the reaction to the incident as overblown, stressing that emotional exchanges are a natural part of competitive football, especially at the highest level.
“Well, the media is taking it too far,” Ighalo stated. “In games, there is always emotion.”
Drawing parallels with elite footballers across the world, the former Manchester United forward pointed out that such moments are common among top competitors driven by the desire to win.
“We see players like Ronaldo react on the pitch. Victor is not Ronaldo, but he is a special player in this squad,” he added.
Ighalo was emphatic in highlighting Osimhen’s unquestionable commitment to the national team, noting that his passion should not be misinterpreted as indiscipline or a negative influence within the squad.
“You cannot fault his commitment to the national team,” he said.
The former AFCON winner also warned against any suggestion of sidelining Osimhen, insisting that Nigeria’s ambitions at the tournament depend heavily on the striker operating at full intensity and confidence.
“In the Super Eagles squad, calming Osimhen down too much is not good for the country’s ambition,” Ighalo explained. “If you want to win a tournament, you need Osimhen firing.”
Osimhen has been one of Nigeria’s standout performers at AFCON 2025, contributing goals, assists and relentless work rate.
Ighalo’s comments echo the sentiments of many fans and analysts who believe that passion, when properly managed, remains one of the Super Eagles’ greatest strengths as they push deeper into the tournament.
As Nigeria prepare for their crucial semi-final clash, the message from one of their former leaders is clear: back your match-winners, not bury them.
