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.”
Victor Osimhen, the Galatasaray forward, is closing in on Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing record as Nigeria’s all-time leading goalscorer.
This comes after he netted a brace in Nigeria’s 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Morocco on Monday night.
Entering the match with 32 international goals, the 27-year-old attacker added to his tally during the match in Morocco, bringing his total to 34 goals, just three shy of Yekini’s record of 37.
Here’s Nigeria’s all-time top scorers:
37 goals – Rashidi Yekini
34 goals – Victor Osimhen
23 goals – Segun Odegbami
21 goals – Yakubu Aiyegbeni
19 goals – Ikechukwu Uche
18 goals – Obafemi Martins
17 goals – Sunday Oyarekua
16 goals – Odion Ighalo, Samson Siasia, and Ahmed Musa
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has stated that he is not focused on equaling or surpassing the late Nigerian international Rashidi Yekini’s goal record for the national team.
Osimhen, however, expressed hope he would equal Yekini’s record in the future.
The Galatasaray striker spoke at his post-match interview after captaining the Super Eagles to beat Uganda 3-1 in Tuesday’s AFCON group stage tie.
Osimhen is just goals away from equaling Yekini’s goals record for the Super Eagles.
The 27-year-old former Napoli attacker has so far scored 32 goals for Nigeria, while Yekini had 37.
“The captaincy today gave me a strong sense of belonging.
“I’m not thinking about equaling or surpassing Rashidi Yekini’s record for now; it’s all about the team,” Osimhen told reporters after Nigeria won against Uganda.
“I am trying to fight for my team to get goals, assists, but yes, hopefully not this AFCON and maybe not the qualifiers, but one day I know I am going to get there.”
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 striker Victor Osimhen has apologized to Nigerians following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Osimhen said the Super Eagles were sorry for not qualifying for the world’s biggest tournament.
The Galatasaray star spoke ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, clash against Tanzania in Fès on Tuesday.
“The expectations are very high. This AFCON is an opportunity for us to try and write out wrongs,” Osimhen told Pooja Media.
“Make the Super Eagles fans all over the world believe that there is so much more we can give. We are so sorry.
“We have to use this opportunity to say we are so sorry for not getting the World Cup ticket. We know the disappointment in the faces of Nigerian fans, it has happened, and we have to keep it going,” he said.
Recall that Nigeria failed to secure the World Cup ticket after losing to DR Congo in the playoff final encounter a few weeks ago.
Victor Osimhen has stated that the Super Eagles are ready to face a tough battle against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars.
Eric Chelle’s men will open their campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup against the East Africans in Fès on Tuesday.
The highly anticipated encounter will kick-off 6.30pm Nigerian time.
The Super Eagles, who were runners-up at the last edition in Cote d’Ivoire are overwhelming favourites to win the game.
Tanzania, will be making their fourth AFCON appearance in Morocco, and have never make it beyond the group stage.
Osimhen said it is important for the Super Eagles not to underrate the Taifa Stars.
The Galatasaray striker however insisted that they are among the favourites to win the title.
“It’s all about going to war. Tuesday is the first one, and we will give everything. We are not underrating anyone in our group, but I think we’re up there with so many favourites in this tournament,” he told Nigerian journalist Kelechi Anyikude.
“So we’re going to give our all to make sure that we actualise the dream of trying to win the AFCON. It’s not gonna be easy, we still got a long way to go so I am positive about this squad.”
Osimhen will also to better his performance from AFCON 2025 where he scored only once and provided one assist in seven games.
Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, has been named GQ Sportsman of the Year in Turkey.
The former Napoli striker, 26, received the award at a black-tie ceremony held in Istanbul on Wednesday, December 10.
The accolade, organised by the Turkish edition of GQ Magazine, a leading international men’s fashion and lifestyle publication, recognises outstanding achievers across various fields, including sports, music, and film.
The Nigerian international was recognised for his contribution to Galatasaray’s domestic double last season, scoring 37 goals and providing seven assists in 41 appearances to help the club secure both the Super Lig and Turkish Cup titles.
Despite being slowed by injuries this season, Osimhen has continued his impressive form, netting 11 goals in 14 matches across all competitions.
Osimhen has registered 37 goals and seven assists across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds.
Former Nigeria winger Tijani Babangida has cautioned Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle against what he calls a “dangerous” overreliance on Victor Osimhen ahead of AFCON 2025.
He insists Nigeria cannot build its ambitions for a fourth continental title around one player, no matter how influential.
Data exposes worrying dependency
Osimhen’s impact on the team is undisputed. With 31 goals in 43 games, he is closing in on Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record, and Nigeria’s results reflect his importance.
With him available, the Super Eagles have lost just five of 40 matches. Without him, they have suffered 11 defeats in 29.
Chelle warned against over dependence on Osimhen – Getty image
That gulf showed during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria failed to win any of their first four games while Osimhen was injured.
His return brought six goals in six matches and a haul of 14 points, yet the team still fell behind South Africa in the race for automatic qualification.
Collapse against Congo reveals wider structural issue
Osimhen inspired Nigeria past Gabon in the playoff, but when he limped off in the final versus DR Congo, the team fell apart and eventually lost on penalties.
Babangida says moments like that highlight a system too dependent on the striker.
Speaking to Tribal Football, he said Chelle must “fix” the issue and build a squad capable of performing with or without the Galatasaray forward.
He added that every player selected must take responsibility and maintain performance levels irrespective of Osimhen’s availability.
Mentality shift needed ahead of AFCON 2025
Babangida stressed that injuries are part of football and Osimhen’s absence should not “throw the Super Eagles into a mess.”
He urged the coach to instil confidence across the squad, particularly among the attackers, so the team can operate effectively even when their talisman is unavailable.
Nigeria face Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania in Group C, opening their AFCON 2025 campaign on December 23 against Tanzania.
Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey has praised Victor Osimhen as a “deadly” striker, noting that he is relieved his national teammate did not make a move to the English Premier League.
Bassey sees Osimhen at the same level as Manchester City goal machine, Erling Haaland.
Before settling for Turkish giants, Galatasaray, Osimhen was heavily linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.
But none of the speculated moves could materialise and Bassey, who plays his football at Fulham, expressed mixed feelings about his international teammate’s move.
“He’s unbelievable. What he does for the country, what he’s done in the Champions League is amazing, a deadly striker,” Bassey said to Stadium Astro.
“I was kind of happy and upset at the same time that he didn’t come to the Premier League.
“It would have been good for him, but I’m happy I don’t have to play against him.”
Bassey confirmed that Osimhen is very much interested in moving to the Premier League.
