Victor Osimhen shuns Nigeria celebration after Ademola Lookman row at AFCON | OneFootball

Victor Osimhen refused to join Nigeria’s on-pitch celebrations after their 4-0 last 16 win over Mozambique, following a heated exchange with Ademola Lookman.

He had scored twice, both created by Lookman. According to L'Équipe, his frustration surfaced early in the match.

In the ninth minute he berated Lookman for delaying a pass when he felt well placed to shoot. At the 63rd minute, with Nigeria already 3-0 up, he again complained about not receiving an obvious ball and went nose to nose, saying it was a team game. Five minutes later he was replaced by Paris FC player Moses Simon.

After full time he skipped the team huddle, went straight to the dressing room, then went through the mixed zone first and alone without speaking to journalists.

Lookman played down the row, saying he had not seen Osimhen yet, that it was not very important, and calling him the team’s number one asset and a superb striker. The coach, the Malian Éric Chelle, did not deny the clash but refused to discuss it, saying it would stay within the group and he did not need to explain what happened or what will happen.

The Super Eagles will face the winner of Algeria versus the Democratic Republic of Congo, widely billed as the tournament’s most finely balanced and most anticipated last 16 tie, on Tuesday in Rabat at 17:00.

Source: L'Équipe