Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is under intense scrutiny for his conduct during Nigeria's emphatic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations victory, despite scoring two goals. The Napoli star's on-pitch rift with teammate Ademola Lookman has ignited a firestorm of criticism from fans and analysts alike, with one furious supporter branding him a 'spoilt brat'.
The Incident That Sparked the Controversy
During Nigeria's 4-0 thrashing of Mozambique in the AFCON Round of 16 on Monday, January 5, 2026, a tense moment unfolded in the 63rd minute. Osimhen, who had already netted a brace, appeared visibly frustrated with Lookman for not releasing a pass quickly enough, a move that potentially denied him a hat-trick opportunity.
The situation escalated when Osimhen shoved team captain Wilfred Ndidi to emphasize his point to the Atalanta forward. Ndidi was forced to intervene, calming Lookman down to prevent further escalation. For the remainder of his time on the pitch, Osimhen seemed reluctant to join attacks when Lookman was in possession.
His frustration culminated in a signal to coach Eric Chelle requesting a substitution. Osimhen was subsequently replaced by Moses Simon in the 68th minute, exiting the field to audible boos from sections of the Nigerian support despite his two-goal contribution.
Fan and Pundit Backlash Erupts Online
The incident did not go unnoticed, sparking immediate and fierce reactions on social media and from sports commentators. Football analyst Olawale Adigun led the criticism in a viral tweet, lambasting Osimhen for tarnishing the team's image.
"Osimhen is a spoilt brat," Adigun wrote. "The NFF has allowed this nonsense fester for so long and he feels larger than life. Arrant Nonsense!" His sentiment was echoed by a wave of fans online.
User @SantosTHEBOSS demanded accountability, stating: "Should be benched if he does not apologise to his team mates, and the fans." Another fan, @DurojaiyeSegun, made a stark comparison: "The disparity between Lookman & Osimhen is now clear... Lookman>>> Osimhen."
Further criticism highlighted concerns over leadership, with @TalmudicSage noting: "Victor Osimhen doesn’t have the mentality of a captain... I hope that Eric can sit him down and lay down the rules. No player shall be bigger than the team."
Performance Overshadowed by Drama
Ironically, the match was a resounding success for the Super Eagles on paper. The 4-0 win, with goals from Osimhen (2), Lookman, and Akor Adams, secured a quarterfinal berth and marked the team's first clean sheet of the tournament.
Both Osimhen and Lookman are currently Nigeria's joint-top scorers in the competition with three goals each. In a twist that added fuel to the narrative, just seven minutes after Osimhen's substitution, Lookman provided his third assist of the night for Akor Adams' goal.
This controversy casts a shadow over Nigeria's progress in Morocco and raises questions about squad harmony as they prepare for the tougher challenges ahead in the knockout stages. The focus has swiftly shifted from a dominant team performance to an internal disciplinary matter that coach Eric Chelle must now urgently address.
