Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has spoken in defence of Victor Osimhen following the striker’s heated on-pitch confrontation with teammate Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.
Mikel described Osimhen’s reaction as a sign of a “warrior spirit” that is often required to succeed at the highest level of football. He made these comments on his popular Obi One Podcast, which was posted on YouTube on Wednesday.
The incident happened during Nigeria’s dominant 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 match played on Monday. The win secured Nigeria a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament and strengthened their hopes of winning the AFCON title.
The confrontation between Osimhen and Lookman occurred midway through the second half, with Nigeria already leading 3–0. Osimhen had scored two goals in the match and was pushing hard for a third to complete his hat-trick.
During a promising attacking move, Lookman chose not to pass the ball to Osimhen, who was in a good position to score. This decision appeared to frustrate the Napoli and Galatasaray striker, who reacted angrily on the pitch.
Osimhen was seen shouting and gesturing towards Lookman. His reaction drew attention from fans, teammates, and officials. Shortly after the incident, Osimhen demanded to be substituted.
When he was taken off, some fans in the stadium booed him. At the end of the match, Osimhen went straight into the tunnel without joining his teammates in the celebrations, further raising concerns about his behaviour.
Reacting to the incident, Mikel Obi urged fans and analysts not to misunderstand Osimhen’s passion and intensity.
“One thing people need to understand about Victor is that he plays with his heart on his sleeve,” Mikel said.
“He’s a fighter, he plays like a warrior, and that’s what top teams need. He gives everything on the pitch, and that’s how he gets the best out of himself.”
Mikel explained that Osimhen’s reaction was driven by his strong desire to help the team and achieve personal success, especially in a big tournament like the AFCON.
According to Mikel, Osimhen’s frustration was understandable, given the situation in the game. The striker had already scored twice, with both goals set up by Lookman, and was close to getting his third.
“As a striker, when you score two goals, you want the third,” Mikel said. “Any striker would feel frustrated in that situation.”
He added that Osimhen is not just important for his goals but also for his work rate and commitment on the pitch.
“Victor is a player who wins games for us, not just with the ball but with his work rate off it as well,” he said.
While Mikel defended Osimhen’s passion, he also made it clear that he did not support all aspects of the striker’s behaviour after the incident.
“That part I didn’t like,” Mikel said, referring to Osimhen’s body language and decision to leave the pitch and head straight into the tunnel after the match.
“Football is always about the team. No individual is bigger than the national team, and Victor knows that.”
Mikel stressed the importance of unity and discipline, especially in a national team setting where players must put the collective goal above personal achievements.
Despite his criticism, Mikel welcomed the intensity shown by both Osimhen and Lookman. He argued that successful teams often have players who demand high standards from one another.
“I like seeing players argue and demand more from each other on the pitch,” he said. “What matters is that once the game is over, you make up and move on.”
He explained that such moments, if properly managed, can push a team to perform better rather than cause division.
Mikel also praised Ademola Lookman for his reaction after the match. According to him, Lookman handled the situation in a mature way and showed professionalism.
Lookman, who assisted Osimhen’s first two goals, has been one of Nigeria’s standout players at the tournament. His partnership with Osimhen has been key to the Super Eagles’ strong attacking display.
Mikel expressed confidence that both players would resolve the issue quickly.
“They are both important to this team,” he said. “The manager has to manage the situation well because the last thing you want is friction between your two best players.”
Nigeria has been impressive at the 2025 AFCON, showing strong defence and sharp attacking play. The 4–0 win over Mozambique was one of their most convincing performances in the tournament.
Osimhen, Africa’s reigning Footballer of the Year, has been central to Nigeria’s success, scoring crucial goals and leading the attack with energy and determination.
Lookman has also played a key role, contributing goals and assists while providing pace and creativity on the wings.
Nigeria will now face Algeria in the quarter-final on Saturday. The match is expected to be a tough test, as Algeria are former AFCON champions with a strong squad.