Soccer
Victor James Osimhen and Ademola Olajade Lookman gestures during the Africa Cup Of Nations match between Mozambique and Nigeria at Fes Stadium on January 5, 2026 in Fes, Morocco. Photo by Thor Wegner/DeFodi ImagesxImago
Former Super Eagles and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo, has opined on Victor Osimhen’s row with Ademola Lookman, Soccernet.ng reports.
In the clash against Mozambique, the duo had already scored, with Victor Osimhen on a double, when the clash broke out in the 63rd minute after failing to receive a pass.
Bruno Onyemaechi found himself in unfamiliar territory on the edge of the Mozambican box, and with Osimhen free on the right, the full-back opted to go for goal himself, which initially put the striker off.
The ball then fell to Lookman, who opted to recycle possession rather than keep the attack going. Osimhen lashed out, telling the Atalanta forward, “Hey, this is a team game,” to which Lookman replied, “But you already scored two goals.”
Captain Wilfred Ndidi’s attempt to calm the Galatasaray striker down was met with a cold shoulder, and Osimhen was taken off shortly afterwards as he refused to involve himself in the passage of play.
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Soccer Odion Ighalo spoke to Osimhen after Lookman clash
While the Galatasaray striker hasn’t publicly addressed the situation, he made up for it with a brilliant display against Algeria, scoring a goal and setting up Akor Adams at Stade de Marrakech last night.
Ighalo, on punditry duties with Super Sports admitted the situation was blown out of proportion by the media.
“Well, I think the media took it too far because in games like that, emotions will always flare, and there’ll be players who will always want it more in a different way,” the former Granada striker said.
“We’ve seen Ronaldo and other big players do something like that. Though Victor is not Ronaldo, but in the Nigerian team, he’s the biggest player for me,
“After the game, I didn’t see what happened, but I spoke to him, and he revealed it was what Lookman said that made him react that way.
“I then told him not to react that way next time. Sort it out in the dressing room, and they did that and are now friends again.
“I know Osimhen, you cannot fault his commitment to the National team, he scores goals and does everything for the national team.
“The calm Osimhen does not play well. To get the best out of him, he has to play angry.
Victor Osihmen came in to the quarter-finals with a point to prove #SSFootball | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/i0SXzxzPW7
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 10, 2026
“The media is trying to drag him forward and saying take him out, the team cannot work. You don’t take your best player out of the game,” Ighalo continued.
“You just have to settle it, and I like the way the coach went about it in the dressing room. He didn’t make a big problem out of it.
“You cannot send a Ronaldo or Mbappe out of the team. Again, not saying Osimhen is a Ronaldo, but, in the Super Eagles, he’s our star.
“I’m not saying what he did was right; he shouldn’t have done that, but you can’t tell him to get away from the team.
“If you want to win the tournament, you need to get Victor Osimhen firing,” the AFCON 2019 Golden Boot winner concluded.
For Osimhen and his Super Eagles teammates, they face their biggest AFCON 2025 test yet on Wednesday as they take on the host, Morocco.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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