Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has indicated that star striker Victor Osimhen will face disciplinary action after a public on-pitch argument with teammate Ademola Lookman. The incident occurred during Nigeria's commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Heated Exchange and Coach's Firm Response
The clash between the two forwards happened despite the team's dominant performance at the Complexe Sportif de Fes. Lookman opened the scoring in the 20th minute, with Osimhen adding a second just five minutes later. Osimhen scored again in the 47th minute before Akor Adams sealed the 4-0 win in the 75th minute.
Reacting to the spat, Coach Eric Chelle was firm, stating that the matter would be handled internally. The 48-year-old Mali-born tactician substituted both players following the altercation and later emphasized that team issues remain within the group.
"What happened on the pitch will stay in the group," Chelle stated. "I don’t need to tell you what happened or what will happen. My management and I will keep that for ourselves. Everything that happens in the life of the group will stay in the life of the group." He assured that the technical crew is managing the situation to ensure resolution before Nigeria's quarterfinal match.
Veteran Journalist Warns Osimhen
Nigerian sports journalist Gesinde Fregene has issued a strong warning to Victor Osimhen, urging the Galatasaray forward to learn from history. Fregene specifically referenced the career of former Nigerian international Etim Esin, whose promising path was cut short by attitude problems.
"He has to be careful with his career and teammates," Fregene cautioned in an exclusive comment. "Nigeria's Flying Eagles built the entire team around Etim Esin, but arrogance killed his career, and today he's a footnote in history."
Fregene also defended Ademola Lookman's work ethic, highlighting his historic hat-trick in the 2023 UEFA Europa League final as proof of his world-class finishing ability. He suggested the rift may have stemmed from Osimhen's desire for more service during the match.
Oliseh's Continued Snub and Quarterfinal Focus
In a related development, Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh has again failed to acknowledge Victor Osimhen's contribution in his post-match analysis. This marks the fourth consecutive time during AFCON 2025 that Oliseh has omitted praise for the striker, instead choosing to commend Alex Iwobi for his passing against Mozambique.
Despite the internal drama, Nigeria successfully progressed to the quarterfinals of the tournament. The team's management now faces the dual challenge of managing player relations and maintaining focus for the crucial knockout stages ahead.
The situation presents a significant test for Coach Eric Chelle's man-management skills as he balances discipline with squad harmony. The football world will be watching closely to see how the Super Eagles handle this internal challenge while pursuing AFCON glory in Morocco.
