The atmosphere around Nigeria's Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco has turned sour following a public clash between star players, leading to fierce criticism from a prominent activist.
Activist's Scathing Critique of Osimhen
Theo Agada, a political activist, has launched a blistering attack on Victor Osimhen, stating he would rather see the national team leave the tournament without the striker than win it with him. Agada described Osimhen as a "spoilt brat" and a "liability" to the squad.
This strong reaction came after reports by Arise News indicated that Osimhen, following an on-pitch altercation, dropped his accreditation and threatened to quit Nigeria's AFCON 2025 squad entirely. Agada, who is also the spokesperson for the Northern Renaissance Network (NRN), expressed his frustration on his verified X (formerly Twitter) page on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
"I am sick and tired of his disgusting attitude," Agada wrote. "He is divisive, and we cannot afford to have such a character in our national team."
The On-Field Incident That Sparked the Crisis
The controversy stems from an incident during Nigeria's 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the AFCON round of 16 on Monday, January 5, 2026, in Fes, Morocco. While Osimhen scored two goals and Ademola Lookman added another in the impressive win, a nasty episode marred the performance.
During the second half, Osimhen was seen in an angry outburst directed at teammate Ademola Lookman for reasons that remain unclear. The situation required intervention from other players to calm things down. Still visibly upset, the Galatasaray striker then signaled to the bench to be substituted and was subsequently replaced by Moses Simon.
Fan Reaction and Broader Fallout
The fallout was immediate. Sections of Nigerian fans at the Stade Foot Fès booed Osimhen as he walked off the pitch following his substitution. The incident has cast a shadow over the Super Eagles' campaign as they aim to lift a fourth AFCON trophy.
In a related development, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, the founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has addressed the misinterpretation of his prophecy concerning Lookman's performance. Contrary to predictions of disappointment, Lookman has been decisive for Nigeria at the tournament.
The Super Eagles' management and the Nigeria Football Federation now face a significant challenge in managing the rift between two key players as the team prepares for the quarter-finals of AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
