The Super Eagles' triumphant 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 round of 16 has been overshadowed by a major internal rift, with star striker Victor Osimhen allegedly threatening to quit the national squad.
On-Field Clash Leads to Boos and Exit Threat
The incident occurred on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Stade Foot Fès in Fes, Morocco. During the second half of Nigeria's dominant win, Osimhen was seen in a heated, angry outburst directed at teammate Ademola Lookman. The precise reason for the altercation remains unclear, but it required intervention from other players to calm the situation.
Still visibly upset, the Galatasaray striker subsequently signaled to the bench to be substituted. Coach Jose Peseiro obliged, bringing on Moses Simon in his place. As Osimhen left the pitch, sections of Nigerian fans inside the stadium booed him.
The drama escalated post-match. A report by Arise News claimed that Osimhen, in his frustration, dropped his tournament accreditation and threatened to leave the Eagles' camp entirely, jeopardizing Nigeria's quest for a fourth AFCON title.
Bashir Ahmad Calls for Unity, Condemns Osimhen's Action
The report prompted a strong reaction from Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari and a stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
On Tuesday, January 6, Ahmad took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) page to express his disappointment. He emphasized that Osimhen, widely regarded as the team's leader, should be fostering cohesion.
"This is very bad coming from Osimhen, who is widely seen as the leader of the team and a key figure in maintaining the form, unity and spirit needed for the squad to win the tournament," Ahmad wrote. He urged the striker to remain with the team and continue fighting alongside his teammates.
Team Management Moves to Address the Crisis
In response to the growing controversy, the Super Eagles' media officer, Promise Efoghe, provided a statement aimed at dousing tensions. He indicated that the primary reasons and aftermath of the on-field row between Osimhen and Lookman have been addressed internally by the team's management.
The squad is scheduled for a recovery session in Fes on Tuesday, with 26 players expected to train. Injured defender Ryan Alebiosu will continue his separate rehabilitation program.
Despite the internal clash, the match itself was a showcase of Nigerian talent. Osimhen scored a brace, while Lookman and Akor Adams added a goal each to secure the comprehensive 4-0 victory and a spot in the quarter-finals.
The incident raises serious questions about squad harmony as Nigeria progresses into the critical knockout stages of AFCON 2025 in Morocco. All eyes will be on the team's camp to see if the rift has been truly mended as they continue their campaign for continental glory.
