Reality TV star and football club owner, Natasha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has stepped into the fray to defend Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from widespread criticism. The backlash followed a heated on-field confrontation between Osimhen and his Super Eagles teammate, Ademola Lookman.
The Pitch Incident That Sparked Controversy
The tension erupted immediately after Nigeria's match against Mozambique on January 6, 2026. Television broadcasts captured the moment the two teammates engaged in a fiery exchange, requiring intervention from other players and officials to separate them. The incident quickly went viral, splitting fans online. While some criticised Osimhen for lashing out, others sought context for his visible frustration.
In a viral video reaction, the former BBNaija housemate first praised the Super Eagles' overall performance, calling it "the best game she had watched in a long time." She expressed a wish to have been in Morocco to cheer the team on.
Tacha's Fierce Defence of Osimhen's Passion
Tacha directly addressed the criticism aimed at Osimhen. She argued that his reaction stemmed from passion and a deep commitment to the game, traits for which he is known. "He is known for his temper and that such behaviour usually comes from passion after games," she stated, suggesting people should not be surprised.
She provided further context, noting that Osimhen had made several scoring attempts but was not passed the ball on multiple occasions. "According to her, anyone in his position would have reacted the same way," the report highlighted.
Daring Critics and Drawing Ronaldo Comparisons
Tacha took her defence a step further by comparing the Napoli striker to global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo. She described Osimhen as "Nigeria's version of Cristiano Ronaldo" and contended that a similar reaction from Ronaldo would not generate the same level of uproar.
In a bold challenge to the team's critics and management, Tacha dared the coach to bench Osimhen in the next match, sarcastically adding that she wanted to "see something."
The video sparked divided reactions among fans. While some supported her stance, others remained critical of Osimhen's conduct. Comments on Instagram reflected the split:
- @arike_troublemaker questioned the Ronaldo comparison: "Does this aunty know how many times Ronaldo faced backlash for similar attitude?"
- @ayo_westt reacted: "Osimhen too dey complain."
- @makavili99 said: "That doesn't warrant him to yell at his teammate... that's not cool."
- @real_osas defended the striker: "Every team needs a player like Osimhen."
The incident and Tacha's vocal intervention have kept the Super Eagles in the spotlight beyond the match result, highlighting the intense passions surrounding the national team and its star players.
