Super Eagles icon Austin Jay Jay Okocha has publicly addressed the on-pitch confrontation between star striker Victor Osimhen and winger Ademola Lookman, stating the Napoli forward "went overboard" with his actions. The incident occurred during Nigeria's commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, momentarily overshadowing the team's impressive performance.
Okocha's Stern Advice to Osimhen
In a video that went viral on social media platform X, the former national team captain did not mince words. Okocha, a winner of the AFCON trophy himself, emphasized that while passion is welcome, respect for teammates is paramount. He insisted that such criticisms should be kept within the confines of the dressing room, away from the media's prying eyes.
"Victor Osimhen went overboard; I have to clear that out," Okocha stated. "It is good to see players who are passionate but also understand that you are not bigger than your teammates; you are the same, you have to respect your teammates. If you want to say something, you'd better say it in the dressing room and not show the whole world that your colleague made a mistake."
The Incident and Team Resolution
The heated moment between the two attackers happened despite both playing key roles in the demolition of Mozambique. Osimhen scored a brace, with both assists provided by Lookman, who also netted a goal himself alongside Akor Adams. However, after the final whistle, Osimhen's frustration was evident as he walked straight to the team bus alone, skipping post-match interviews and the dressing room celebrations.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) swiftly moved to douse tensions. Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor released a statement describing the rift as "a crisis between brothers" which had been resolved internally and would not escalate further.
Passion Versus Discipline in the Camp
Okocha also provided context for Osimhen's emotions, acknowledging a striker's right to be frustrated when service is not optimal. He suggested that such outbursts, when managed correctly, can signify a team's burning desire to win, not just participate.
"These things happen, and I love to see that sometimes in a team," the Bolton Wanderers legend added. "It shows that they want to win; they are not just there to play and go home. It also shows that they want to achieve something."
The resolved conflict comes as Nigeria prepares for a high-stakes semi-final clash against host nation Morocco. The Super Eagles, with Osimhen having scored four goals and Lookman three in the tournament so far, will need total unity as they aim for AFCON glory.
