Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle has shed light on the reported altercation between Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen during the AFCON, describing it as a normal moment of competitive tension.
Speaking to RMC Sport, Chelle praised both players for their winning mentality and relentless desires to excel.
“In front of goal, those two guys are top-level.”
He explained that the intensity between the pair stems from their shared obsession with excellence.
“In front of goal, those two guys are top-level. Victor is a machine. If he doesn’t do his specific striker drills, if he doesn’t score in training, it drives him crazy.
“He wants to win everything. For him, it’s not a funfair. Lookman is the same, but calmer. Frankly, I’ve seen strikers, but to strike the ball like they do, right foot, left foot… that’s a very, very high level.”
Chelle then addressed the incident itself, clarifying that it was a brief exchange that escalated only momentarily.
“On the pitch, there was a discussion with Lookman. Victor told him, ‘We need to stop playing in front of goal.’ Things got a little heated, a minor altercation, but that’s part of locker room life.”
The Nigerian coach revealed that Osimhen was initially upset after the match but later regained his composure.
“At the end of the match, he went home upset; he needed time to calm down. And once he did, he became the Victor we know again. There was never any question of him not playing against Algeria, never.”
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Chelle emphasized that the situation was resolved internally without the need for managerial intervention.
“What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room. I didn’t even need to intervene. We went back to the hotel, they talked it over, and that was it.”
Despite the brief moment of tension, Lookman and Osimhen went on to be two of Nigeria’s standout performers at AFCON 2025. Lookman recorded three goals and four assists, while Osimhen contributed four goals and two assists.
