The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved to assure fans that the Super Eagles are fully united and focused on their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash, following a highly publicised on-pitch disagreement between star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
Brothers' Quarrel Now Behind Us, Says NFF
The incident, which occurred during Nigeria's commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16, saw Osimhen and Lookman engage in a heated exchange. The situation appeared to escalate post-match when Osimhen, the Galatasaray striker, reportedly refused to join the team's celebratory huddle and left for the team bus without speaking to the media.
This action drew criticism from some Nigerian supporters, with calls for disciplinary measures. However, the football governing body has firmly stated that the matter has been settled internally.
The NFF described the spat as a "crisis between brothers" and confirmed it has been decisively put to rest, dismissing media reports of lingering discord within the camp. Senior players, including Moses Simon and Chidozie Awaziem, echoed this sentiment, assuring the public of squad harmony.
Focus Shifts to Algeria Quarter-Final Challenge
With the internal issue resolved, attention has fully turned to the formidable task ahead. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, that Nigeria will face Algeria in the last eight.
The Desert Foxes secured their spot by defeating DR Congo and present a significant hurdle, having eliminated Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 2019 edition of the tournament.
Head coach Eric Chelle and his squad have continued their preparations diligently. The team held a recovery and conditioning session on Tuesday while awaiting their opponent's confirmation. The final training session in Fez is scheduled for Wednesday, before the team travels to Marrakech on Thursday.
The quarter-final match against Algeria is set for Saturday, January 10, 2026. The encounter pits the tournament's best attack against its best defence. Nigeria has scored an impressive 12 goals, while Algeria has conceded only once, with goalkeeper Luca Zidane yet to be beaten.
Team News and Squad Updates
Training sessions have proceeded with 26 players. The squad is dealing with a couple of absences:
- Ryan Alebiosu continues his rehabilitation from a leg injury sustained against Uganda.
- Cyriel Dessers has left the camp and returned to Greece after suffering a serious thigh injury.
In positive news, striker Akor Adams, who briefly left to visit his ailing mother at a hospital in Fez, has returned to the squad and participated in training.
The NFF's swift handling of the Osimhen-Lookman incident and the subsequent public reassurance aim to ensure that off-field noise does not disrupt the Super Eagles' quest for a fourth AFCON title as they enter the crucial knockout stages.
