AFCON 2025: NFF Finally Speaks Over Osimhen Vs Lookman Outburst In Super Eagles’Camp
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has rejected reports suggesting unrest within the Super Eagles camp at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, insisting that the team remains united and focused on the task ahead.
In an official statement released on January 6 by the NFF Communications Department, the federation described claims of a dressing-room rift as unfounded, following Nigeria’s commanding 4-0 win over Mozambique on Monday night that sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the 35th AFCON finals.
Speculation gathered pace after television cameras caught striker Victor Osimhen gesturing towards fellow forward Ademola Lookman shortly before a corner kick, a moment that quickly fuelled rumours across both traditional and digital media platforms.
Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor moved to put the matter to rest, stressing that there was never any lingering issue within the squad. “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 and we are presently at training,” Achor confirmed.
He also addressed reports claiming that Jerome Akor Adams had walked away from the team base in Fès. According to Achor, the striker, who scored his first-ever AFCON goal in the win over Mozambique, merely stepped out with permission to visit his mother in the hospital and returned shortly afterwards. “He took permission to go and see his mother who was hospitalised here in Fès, and returned in less than an hour,” he said.
On the pitch, Osimhen’s performance highlighted Nigeria’s dominance. The deputy captain struck twice against the Mambas to take his international tally to 34 goals in 50 appearances, leaving him just three short of the long-standing national record held by the late Rashidi Yekini.
Lookman also enjoyed a standout evening, adding a goal and three assists to his tournament contribution after already recording two goals and two assists in earlier matches against Tanzania and Tunisia.
Training continued as scheduled on Tuesday evening at the Sardienne Complex, with all 26 available players taking part. Young defender Ryan Alebiosu remains on a recovery programme but the rest of the squad trained without concerns.
The three-time African champions will travel to Marrakech on Thursday, where they will face Algeria in Saturday’s quarter-final, a tie scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. as Nigeria continue their push for continental honours
