Osimhen-Lookman Row: NFF  dismisses ruckus in Super  Eagles’ camp

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman of Nigeria during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Nigeria and Mozambique at Fez Stadium in Fes, Morocco on 05 January 2026 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) through its  Team Administrator at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Dayo Enebi Achor,  has dismissed reports claiming that the duo of Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams have left the Super Eagles’ AFCON camp.

The NFF in an official statement shot down insinuations and dark innuendoes of a rumpus in the team following Monday night’s 4-0 thrashing of Mozambique’s Mambas, which progressed the three-time champions to the last-8 of the 35^th   AFCON  in Morocco.

In a tense scene in the  encounter against Mozambique, striker Victor Osimhen was seen making gestures to fellow forward Ademola Lookman just before a corner kick which according to the NFF , had been

‘conjectures of various complexions in the legacy and digital media’.

But according to Achor the issue has  been resolved:  “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.”

He  also dismissed reports that striker Jerome Akor Adams – who scored his first ever AFCON goal on the night – abandoned the team camp. “He took permission to go and see his mother who was hospitalized here in Fès, and returned in less than an hour.”

Incidentally,  Lookman has  equally played down reports of a rift between and Victor Osimhen, insisting there is no issue between the pair.

 “I haven’t talked to Victor Osimhen since the game, but what matters is that we won,” Lookman said in his post-match interview. “He is a top player and very important to the team. For me, there is no big issue.”

The winger also addressed Nigeria’s recent failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, urging the team to remain focused on their AFCON objective.

“The disappointment of not qualifying for the World Cup won’t disappear,” he admitted. “But we are at AFCON now, and in five days we have a big game to prepare for, either against Algeria or DR Congo.”

Nigeria will face  Algeria in the quarterfinals on Saturday  as the Super Eagles continue their quest for continental glory at AFCON 2025.

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