Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has taken a firm stance against online criticism by blocking popular football content creator Bi Bernard on Instagram. This digital fallout occurred in the wake of Nigeria's tense round-of-16 victory over Mozambique at the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations, a match marred by a visible on-pitch disagreement between Osimhen and his teammate, Ademola Lookman.
The Spark: On-Field Clash Leads to Online War
While the Super Eagles secured their passage to the next round of the tournament, the heated exchange between the two attackers became a major talking point. Bi Bernard, known for his vocal football commentary, was one of the most prominent figures to publicly condemn Osimhen's role in the incident. Following his criticism, Bernard took to his Instagram platform to reveal that the Napoli and Galatasaray striker had blocked him on the social media app.
In a video that quickly went viral, an irate Bi Bernard slammed Osimhen's decision. "The idiot has blocked me. You had the temerity to block me. You are very stupid. Have you ever fed me before?" Bernard fumed in the clip. He defended his initial critique as fair, claiming he had even argued in Osimhen's favor during broader discussions about the clash.
Bi Bernard's Vow and Social Media Reactions
Bernard asserted that he had previously defended Osimhen from calls to be benched and was also critical of Lookman's conduct. He expressed disbelief at being blocked despite this perceived support. "You misbehave on the field and I was even making a case for you. I was even hard at Lookman too, but you had the gut to block me," he stated.
The content creator issued a clear warning to the footballer, promising intensified scrutiny. "Now that you have blocked me, just don't miss any goal because I will be on your case," Bernard vowed, positioning himself as a persistent critic of Osimhen's future performances.
The video sparked diverse reactions from Nigerian social media users. Some criticized Bernard's approach, with one user, @BoooomBerry, commenting, "U called him idiot coz he blocked u, u no sabi anything so shot up.. No wonder the coach locked the came from morons like u." Others offered perspective on the pressures of the game, while some felt Bernard's tone was disrespectful.
Broader Calls for Resolution
This incident adds another layer to the controversy surrounding the Osimhen-Lookman clash. Earlier, popular actor Lege Miami had publicly appealed to Osimhen to quickly settle any misunderstanding with his teammate. Miami posted a video on Instagram urging the striker to resolve the issue for the sake of team harmony as Nigeria progresses in the tournament.
The situation highlights the intense scrutiny and instant reaction that modern footballers face, where on-field incidents are rapidly dissected online, leading to personal confrontations in the digital space. As the Super Eagles continue their AFCON campaign, all eyes will be on Osimhen's performances and whether this offline-online drama affects the squad's focus.
