The Nigeria Football Federation has played down reports of a rift in the Super Eagles camp at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco following an on-field altercation between 2023 African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and his successor, Ademola Lookman, during Nigeria’s 4–0 win over Mozambique on Monday, January 5.

Nigeria outclassed the history-chasing Mambas at the Fez Stadium, with Osimhen scoring twice and Lookman and Akor Adams adding one goal each.

However, the emphatic victory was overshadowed by a confrontation between the two former African Players of the Year shortly after the hour mark, which later saw Osimhen request to be substituted.

In a viral video that emerged after the match, Osimhen appeared to confront Lookman over what was believed to be the latter’s failure to pass the ball in a clear scoring position.

The Galatasaray striker was also seen heading straight into the dressing room at full time and leaving ahead of his teammates.

While Lookman, who was named Man of the Match for his performance, dismissed suggestions of a rift during his post-match interview, the NFF has now confirmed that the issue has been resolved internally.

“There is no problem whatsoever in our camp. Whatever people saw as a crisis between two brothers was easily resolved a couple of hours later. All is good,” Team Administrator Dayo Enebi said in a statement sent to journalists by the NFF on Tuesday evening.

Reports that Osimhen threatened to leave the team’s camp were also dismissed by Super Eagles Media Officer Promise Efoghe.

“The primary issues and the aftermath of the on-field remonstration between two of our players during the game against Mozambique have been resolved internally. Kindly ignore all reports suggesting otherwise,” Efoghe said in a team update shared with journalists on Tuesday.

Despite the official assurances, several ex-internationals and football stakeholders have expressed differing views on Osimhen’s conduct and how the situation should be handled.

Veteran journalist Charles Anazodo called for the striker to be dropped from the starting line-up ahead of Nigeria’s quarter-final clash, while veteran pundit Segun Agbede warned that the forward was not bigger than the team.

“If the coach doesn’t drop Osimhen, it shows that he is bigger than the entire team and the NFF,” Anazodo said during a radio programme.

Agbede added, “This is the consequence of his outburst against Finidi, which he got away with. I condemned that outright. The incident against Zimbabwe was also bad, though understandable. I don’t think they should drop him, but he must know he is not bigger than his teammates. We have created a monster, and it’s time to tame the monster.”

Football administrator Deji Gbenro was more critical, insisting the striker should be sent home.

“Have you seen any of his teammates shout at him for missing chances or straying into offside positions? Ideally, he should be sent home. He needs to apologise to his teammates and coaches for that silly behaviour,” he said.

Former international and 1996 Olympic gold medallist, Obafemi Abiodun, also believes Osimhen should apologise to avoid tougher sanctions.

“Sending him home may be too extreme if he apologises. But if he fails to apologise, he should be sent home without delay. There must be open remorse to keep team spirit intact; without remorse, there should be no forgiveness for the sake of precedence,” Obafemi told The PUNCH.

Former Super Eagles player and 1980 AFCON winner, Sylvanus Okpala, however, downplayed the incident.

“As a coach, these things happen among footballers. We were leading 3–0, some players want to gamble while others want to score more. I don’t think it’s a problem, and I don’t think he’s going back to Turkey. We’ve seen coaches get angry too,” Okpala said.

Former Super Eagles goalkeeping trainer Alloy Agu and ex-winger Garba Lawal also urged the team to remain focused on the task ahead.

“No matter what happens, we must remember that there is another game ahead of us and stay focused. Even in families, issues arise and must be resolved before moving on,” Agu told The PUNCH.

“Lookman spoke after the game as well. I believe this issue should be put aside so the team can focus on the matches ahead,” Lawal added.

Captain of the team, Wilfred Ndidi also welcomed the outburst as ‘competitive spirit.

“It was just a competitive mindset,” the midfielder said to ESPN after the game.

“We wanted more, we agreed we wanted more. In that moment, when two people really want it, this is what happens. Of course we spoke about it in the dressing room, everything is fine. Everyone is in this together.”

Following their qualification for the quarter-finals, Nigeria will face Algeria, who edged DR Congo 1–0 after extra time on Saturday in Marrakesh.