A prominent Nigerian commentator has called for the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to ban star striker Victor Osimhen from the Super Eagles unless he issues a public apology. This demand follows Osimhen's visible on-field outburst towards teammates during a crucial Africa Cup of Nations match.
Condition for Ban Issued After AFCON Incident
The controversy stems from an incident during the Super Eagles' round of 16 victory over Mozambique at the AFCON 2025 tournament in Fes, Morocco, on Monday, January 5, 2026. During the match, Osimhen was seen in a heated exchange with fellow forward Ademola Lookman, leading to widespread criticism from fans watching both in the stadium and online.
Following the altercation, Osimhen asked to be substituted and was subsequently booed by some supporters as he left the pitch. Reports also indicated he was the first player to exit the dressing room after the game.
Public Figure Demands Action from NFF
Kayode Ogundamisi, a well-known public commentator, took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account to voice a strong ultimatum directed at the football authorities. Ogundamisi stated that if Osimhen does not apologise for his conduct, he should be banned from representing Nigeria.
In his post, Ogundamisi wrote: "Victor Osimhen should be granted his wish to return to Turkey. If he does not apologise, he should be banned from the national team. It would be more honourable for Nigeria to miss the chance of winning AFCON without him than to win it on the back of disgraceful behaviour and arrogance."
This call adds to the pressure on the Napoli striker, with reports even suggesting he threatened to leave the tournament camp and return to his club, Galatasaray in Turkey, after the incident.
Teammates and Officials Downplay Rift Rumours
Despite the public fallout, figures within the Super Eagles camp have moved quickly to downplay rumours of a serious rift. Ademola Lookman, who was named Man of the Match in the Mozambique game, directly addressed the speculation after the match.
"It’s just football. It’s always football. He is my brother," Lookman stated, emphasising the brotherhood within the squad.
Team captain Wilfred Ndidi supported this view, describing the exchange as a product of competitive spirit rather than personal animosity. Furthermore, Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that the matter had been addressed internally by the team's management.
The squad, consisting of 26 players, held a recovery session in Fes on Tuesday, January 6, as they prepared for their next AFCON fixture.
The situation presents a significant test for the NFF and team cohesion as Nigeria progresses in the AFCON 2025 tournament. While the internal response has been to manage the issue privately, the public demand for accountability from Osimhen continues to grow, placing his immediate national team future under a spotlight.
