Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly threatened to step away from the national team and head back to Turkey.
According to Arise News, Osimhen was left fuming following his altercation with Ademola Lookman during the 4-0 win over Mozambique at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
Having scored a brace thanks to assists from Lookman, the 27-year-old lashed out at his team-mate for failing to pass to him in the 64th minute.
Osimhen then beckoned on the bench asking to be taken off, before he was replaced by Moses Simon.
At full time, Osimhen stormed out of the stadium and dropped his accreditation card, insisting he was “done” with the national team and wanted to fly back to Turkey.
He was then pacified by senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has declined to escalate the heated exchange with Victor Osimhen during Nigeria’s 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night.
Both players got on the score sheet in the first half, which Lookman providing the two assists for Osimhen’s goals.
Osimhen and Lookman were involved in a tense exchange after the Atalanta man seemed to take a shot instead of passing the ball.
Few minutes later, Osimhen stopped running in attack and asked head coach, Eric Chelle to take him off.
“I don’t think that is really important, the team won 4-0,” Lookman told journalists.
“Vic is my number one guy, everybody knows this. Top striker, top player so all of the rest is not important.”
Calvin Bassey, the Super Eagles defender, has disclosed that Jesus Christ saved his life.
Speaking to reporters in Morocco as Nigeria prepares for their AFCON Round of 16 match against Mozambique on Monday night, the Fulham star also opened up about his struggles in life in the past.
“Jesus is my personal Lord and Savior; He saved my life and helped me so much,” Bassey expressed.
“I have been through hard periods and it is been something I have been able to hold on to.”
Bassey has solidified his position as a vital player for the Super Eagles under head coach Eric Chelle.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been promised a $10,000 bonus (about ₦14 million) for each goal they score in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 clash against Mozambique.
According to BSNSports, the incentive, provided by a Nigerian business mogul and team partner, applies to Monday’s knockout fixture at the Fez Stadium in Morocco.
The Super Eagles have been in prolific form, scoring eight goals across their three Group C matches in the tournament’s first round.
The same partner had earlier rewarded the team with $5,000 per goal during the group stage, a bonus structure that has now been doubled for the knockout phase.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, confirmed the development while addressing journalists in Rabat.
“We have fully mobilized the Super Eagles to succeed in this tournament,” Dikko said. “On the part of the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the AFCON Intervention Fund on November 14.
“In addition, our partners and sponsors paid $5,000 per goal in the group stage and have now committed $10,000 per goal for the Round of 16. The incentives will continue to improve as the tournament progresses.”
Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has cautioned Eric Chelle’s side ahead of their Round of 16 encounter with Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to Oliseh, the knockouts will be a different kettle of fish from the group stages, starting with the Round of 16
The Super Eagles won all their three group fixtures – the only team to achieve the feat.
By the end of the group stages, Eric Chelle’s men scored eight goals and conceded four.
“We’re starting the round of 16. What changes here now is that if you lose, you go home,” Oliseh said on his podcasy.
“It is no longer important how beautiful you play; what matters is the result, and that is why the Super Eagles have to make sure their priority is not conceding.”
Nigeria booked a flawless group-stage finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a convincing 3-1 victory over Uganda, reinforcing their status as one of the tournament’s most efficient performers.
Already qualified before kick-off, the Super Eagles combined squad rotation with ruthless execution to close Group C with maximum points and clear momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
Head coach Eric Chelle rang the changes but kept his team aggressive and structured.
Nigeria lined up in an attacking 4-4-2, pairing Victor Osimhen with Paul Onuachu, while debutant Ryan Alebiosu earned his first start at right-back.
Despite the changes, Nigeria’s intent was unmistakable: dominate possession, apply pressure, and finish clinically.
Nigeria beat Uganda 3-1 to pick perfect points in Group C – Getty image
Uganda start brightly
Uganda, needing a win to stay alive, showed early ambition. They pressed high, moved the ball confidently, and created problems through Mutyaba’s midfield control and Mato’s wide deliveries. Nigeria initially absorbed the pressure before asserting control.
Onuachu breaks the deadlock
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. After missing an earlier chance, Onuachu capitalised on a well-worked move, finishing from close range after a composed assist from Dele-Bashiru. The goal shifted momentum firmly in Nigeria’s favour.
Uganda’s challenge collapsed early in the second half when goalkeeper Jamal Salim was sent off for handling outside the box while trying to stop Osimhen through on goal.
The dismissal left Uganda a man down and stripped them of any realistic control.
Onyedika takes over as Uganda pull one back
Nigeria wasted no time. Raphael Onyedika doubled the lead in the 62nd minute, calmly converting after being released by Samuel Chukwueze.
Five minutes later, he completed his brace, finishing another Chukwueze assist to make it 3-0 and effectively kill the contest.
Uganda salvaged some pride when Mato pulled one back with a delicate finish following an Okello pass, but the goal had no bearing on the outcome. Nigeria managed the closing stages with composure and control.
The win sealed top spot in Group C with nine points, marking only the second time Nigeria have completed an AFCON group stage with a 100 percent record. Tunisia finished second after drawing with Tanzania.
A Galatasaray fan identified as Hussein was at the Sardienne Complex in Fès, Morocco, on Monday to watch Victor Osimhen take part in Super Eagles training.
The Super Eagles returned to training on Monday after observing Sunday as rest day following their 3-2 victory over the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.
Hussein stormed the Super Eagles’ training ground with a Galatasaray flag to offer support for Osimhen.
He was well received by Osimhen’s Super Eagles teammates and staff.
It would be recalled that some Napoli fans also visited the Super Eagles hotel in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire during the last AFCON to offer support for the 27-year-old.
Osimhen has scored once and provided one assist in two games for the Super Eagles at AFCON 2025.
The striker is expected to be rested for tonight’s clash with the Cranes of Uganda.
Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has explained why he celebrated his goal against Tunisia by mimicking Kanu Nwankwo’s iconic celebration at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics against Brazil.
Ndidi scored Nigeria’s second goal of the match after Victor Osimhen had already given them the lead in the first half.
It was Ndidi’s first goal for the Super Eagles, a team he has been part of for more than ten years.
The defensive midfielder recreated the 1996 Olympic goal celebration, famously performed by Nigerian and Arsenal legend, Kanu Nwankwo.
“I just remember my dad; my dad always used to talk about Kanu and everything,” the former Leicester City star said.
“So I saw the video, and I said, ‘Oh, I’ll do that one for my dad.’”
With the win, Nigeria became the second team to reach the knockout stage of the tournament in North America, joining Egypt as the first two teams to qualify.
Egypt’s 1-0 victory against South Africa on Friday had made them the first team to advance to the next stage of the tournament.
Nigeria’s next game is against Uganda, who have played two games, losing one to Tunisia and drawing with Tanzania.
Former Nigeria U23 goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro has criticized Super Eagles shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali amid the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The 49-year-old branded Nwabali as distorted, insisting that his passes were not good and the Chippa United goalkeeper is also overweight.
“They [Super Eagles management] need to look at Nwabali,” Babayaro stated on the ATHLST podcast.
“I’m sorry to say this, he is amazing, but he is overweight and Nigeria were lucky against Tanzania that two of their shots were not on target, else they would’ve been in our net.
“Nwabali’s passes were not in sync and he is a bit distorted,” he said.
Nwabali has been Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper since head coach Eric Chelle took over some months ago. He led Nigeria to second position at the last edition of the AFCON.
