Oliseh Blames Osimhen for Nigeria’s AFCON Failure as Team Spirit Crumbles

The aftermath of Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has taken a sharp turn into internal criticism, with former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh pointing a finger at Victor Osimhen. In a searing critique shared on his YouTube channel, the legendary midfielder argued that the team’s quest for gold was derailed not by a lack of talent, but by a “toxic” atmosphere triggered by the star striker. Oliseh contends that a public on-field altercation between Osimhen and teammate Ademola Lookman fractured the squad’s harmony at a pivotal moment in the tournament.

The incident in question occurred during Nigeria’s dominant 4-0 Round-of-16 victory over Mozambique. Despite a brace from Osimhen and a stellar performance from Lookman, the match was overshadowed by a heated exchange where the Galatasaray forward was seen berating Lookman for failing to pass him the ball. Oliseh noted that while the team progressed, the psychological damage was deep. He observed that Lookman, who had been the tournament’s standout performer with three goals and four assists in the opening rounds, became a “shadow of himself” in the subsequent matches, failing to record a single goal or assist thereafter.

Oliseh’s assessment centered on the delicate balance of team chemistry, warning that “talent is not a license to destroy” the collective spirit. He argued that the public nature of the outburst demoralized the squad, leading to a lack of creativity and “bite” during the crucial semi-final exit against host nation Morocco. For Oliseh, the loss of Lookman’s confidence—a direct result of being publicly diminished by a teammate—left the Super Eagles blunt in the attack when they needed their playmakers to be at their sharpest.

The former Juventus and Dortmund star did not stop at the current tournament, linking Osimhen’s behavior to past controversies. He referenced the striker’s previous social media outburst against former coach Finidi George, as well as friction with veteran Victor Ikpeba. Oliseh emphasized that while Osimhen is undoubtedly world-class, his penchant for disrespecting “certified legends” and teammates creates a dangerous precedent. He reminded the current generation that past icons like Okocha and Amunike respected the jersey and their colleagues, emphasizing that “character is permanent.”

While Nigeria eventually secured the bronze medal by defeating Egypt on penalties, Oliseh dismissed the celebrations that followed as a symptom of a “culture of mediocrity.” He lamented that a team once known for shedding tears over a second-place finish is now content with third. As Osimhen nears the all-time goalscoring record of the late Rashidi Yekini, Oliseh’s warning remains a sobering reminder: goals may secure records, but discipline and unity are the true currencies required to win continental titles.