Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has dismissed suggestions of a rift between himself and striker Victor Osimhen following a brief on-field disagreement during Nigeria’s most recent outing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the incident has been exaggerated and poses no threat to team unity.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, the Atalanta forward made it clear that there is no bad blood between the two stars, urging observers to focus on Nigeria’s progress at the tournament rather than isolated moments on the pitch.
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“I haven’t talked to Victor Osimhen since the game. But what matters is that we won,” Lookman said.
“He is a top player and very important to our team. For me, there is no big issue.”
The moment, which briefly caught the attention of fans and pundits, sparked widespread debate on social media, but Lookman was quick to shut down any speculation of unrest within the Super Eagles camp as preparations intensify for the knockout stages.
Nigeria are riding a wave of confidence at AFCON 2025, with the team showing renewed cohesion and attacking threat. Lookman’s comments reinforce the message that internal focus remains intact as the Super Eagles look to push deeper into the competition.
The winger also addressed the broader context surrounding the national team, acknowledging the lingering disappointment of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, while stressing that the squad must remain locked in on their current objective.
“The fact that we didn’t qualify for the FIFA World Cup is not going to go away. We have to deal with that,” he added.
“But we are at the AFCON, and we now have a big game to play in five days, either against Algeria or DR Congo, and we have to prepare for that.”
Nigeria will meet either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarterfinals as they continue their quest for continental glory, with unity and focus now seen as critical factors in the Super Eagles’ bid for a fourth AFCON title.
