Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has explained why he welcomed the heated exchange between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The incident occurred after Lookman failed to release Osimhen during a promising attack, denying the striker a chance to complete his hat-trick.
Osimhen, who had already scored twice with both goals assisted by Lookman, reacted angrily on the pitch.
Speaking on his Obi One podcast on YouTube, Mikel described Osimhen’s reaction as a reflection of the mentality required to succeed at the highest level.
“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.”
Osimhen later requested to be substituted midway through the second half with Nigeria already leading 3–0.
He was seen shouting and gesturing during the match and headed straight down the tunnel at full-time, bypassing team celebrations and drawing boos from sections of the crowd.
Mikel said he could understand the striker’s frustration, noting that most forwards would feel the same in such circumstances.
“As a striker, when you score two goals, you want the third. Any striker would feel frustrated. Victor is a player who wins games for us, not just with the ball but also with his work rate,” he added.
However, the former Chelsea midfielder criticised Osimhen’s conduct after the incident, particularly his body language and decision to leave the pitch immediately after the final whistle.
“The part where he stopped playing, running and making efforts, I didn’t like. The part where he walked straight into the dressing room after the game, I didn’t like. Football is about the team. No individual is bigger than the national team, and Victor knows that,” Mikel said.
Despite this, Mikel welcomed the intensity shown by both players, arguing that successful teams often thrive on high standards and strong emotions.
“I like seeing players argue and demand more from each other on the pitch. What matters is that once the game is over, you make up and move on,” he said.
He also praised Lookman for his mature response after the match and expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved quickly.
“They are both very important to this team. The manager has to manage the situation well because the last thing you want is friction between your two best players.”
Nigeria will face Algeria in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday as they continue their quest for the title.
