Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Provides Full Details on Lookman-Osimhen AFCON 2025 Incident
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has offered a comprehensive explanation regarding the much-discussed confrontation between star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The incident occurred during Nigeria's commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 stage, momentarily overshadowing the team's impressive performance in Morocco.
The Match Context and Heated Exchange
During Nigeria's dominant display against Mozambique, Osimhen scored two crucial goals with both assists coming from his teammate Lookman. Additional goals from the Atletico Madrid forward and Akor Adams secured Nigeria's comfortable passage to the quarterfinals. However, in the 63rd minute, tensions surfaced when Osimhen became visibly frustrated after not receiving a timely pass that could have resulted in his hat-trick opportunity.
The disagreement involved both Lookman and defender Bruno Onyemaechi, with Osimhen expressing his dissatisfaction on the field. Following the argument, the Galatasaray striker made no further attempts to participate actively in the match and signaled to coach Chelle for substitution just five minutes later. Post-match observations revealed Osimhen walking directly to the team bus alone while his teammates remained on the pitch, though the squad later engaged in constructive discussions in the locker room before departure.
Chelle's Official Explanation and Team Dynamics
Speaking exclusively to RMC Sport, Coach Eric Chelle provided detailed insights into what transpired between his two key players. "On the field, there was a discussion with Ademola Lookman," Chelle explained. "Osimhen told Lookman that they need to stop playing in front of the goal the way they are doing. Things got a bit heated, a minor clash, but that's just part of life in the dressing room."
The 48-year-old tactician emphasized that Osimhen required time to cool down emotionally after the strategic disagreement. "After the final whistle, Osimhen became angry and needed time to cool off. And once he had calmed down, he was back to being himself," Chelle stated, highlighting the normalcy of such interactions within competitive team environments.
Resolution and Quarterfinal Preparations
Addressing concerns about potential lineup changes, Chelle firmly dismissed any speculation about benching Osimhen for Nigeria's upcoming quarterfinal match against Algeria's Desert Foxes. "There was never any question of him not playing against Algeria, never," the coach asserted. "What happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room. I didn't even need to intervene. We got back to the hotel, the two of them talked it out, and that was the end of it."
The Nigeria Football Federation has also addressed the incident through Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor, who characterized the situation as "a crisis between brothers" that has been completely resolved without further complications. This perspective reinforces Chelle's account of a temporary disagreement that was professionally managed within the team's internal framework.
As Nigeria prepares for their crucial quarterfinal encounter, the resolution of this internal matter demonstrates the team's maturity and focus on their AFCON 2025 objectives, with both Osimhen and Lookman expected to continue their productive partnership on the field.
