By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 22, 2026

Former Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Oliseh has criticised striker Victor Osimhen, suggesting his behaviour during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations undermined Nigeria’s chances of winning the tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Speaking on his YouTube show Sunday Oliseh’s Global Football Insights, Oliseh argued that Osimhen’s conduct damaged team morale and affected the performance of key teammates.

Oliseh highlighted the confrontation between Osimhen and winger Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s round of 16 victory over Mozambique on as a pivotal moment.

The Galatasaray striker berated Lookman and Bruno Onyemaechi for not passing him the ball in the 63rd minute, with Nigeria leading 3-0. The altercation required intervention from captain Wilfred Ndidi and Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava, while Calvin Bassey stepped in to mediate. Osimhen subsequently requested to be substituted and was replaced by Moses Simon.

Reflecting on the incident, Oliseh said, “We are confusing talent with license. Victor Osimhen is world class. But talent is not a license to destroy team chemistry. When you publicly diminish your teammates, you break their spirit. You destroy the very confidence a team needs to survive a semi-final.”

Nigeria’s forward #09 Victor Osimhen gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) round of 16 football match between Nigeria and Mozambique at the Sports Complex stadium in Fes on January 5, 2026. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)

He added that Lookman, who had been Nigeria’s most dangerous player in the tournament, “became a shadow of himself” following the confrontation.

“Statistically, Lookman was the most dangerous player in the tournament until that public verbal abuse broke his focus,” Oliseh said.

“You cannot expect a playmaker to perform miracles on the pitch when he has been demoralized by his own teammate. The conflict did its damage. We didn’t just lose a game, we lost the psychological edge we needed to win.”

The Super Eagles began the knockout stage with a convincing 4-0 win over Mozambique, in which Lookman had scored thrice and assisted four times at that stage, being the player with most goals contribution in the tournament.

However, Lookman struggled to be productive in the latter stages, despite Nigeria winning 2-0 against Algeria in the quarterfinals. They drew 0-0 against Morocco and lost 4-2 on penalties in the semi-finals, before also failing to score again in the third-place match against Egypt, which they won on penalties to claim a ninth bronze medal.

Oliseh also criticised a growing culture among fans that tolerates such behaviour.

“We are breeding a culture of entitlement where the player is treated as a god and the nation is treated as an afterthought,” he said.

“Scoring goals for Nigeria doesn’t give you a license to disrespect certified legends like Finidi George or Victor Ikpeba. It doesn’t give you the right to disrespect coaches or teammates. We respected the jersey. We realise that victory is temporary, but character is permanent.”

Oliseh warned that celebrations for anything less than gold could foster complacency.

“Celebrating third place builds a culture of mediocrity,” he said.

“Before the final in Rabat, a video went viral of the Super Eagles celebrating widely for winning third place against Egypt. I watched as African and European pundits mocked us. There was a time when the Super Eagles shed tears at second place because to us anything but the trophy was a failure.”

The former Nigeria international, who won an Olympic gold medal in 1996 and scored the winning goal against Spain at the 1998 World Cup, concluded by stressing the importance of discipline and team cohesion. He suggested that Nigeria must prioritise unity and respect to reclaim its position as Africa’s leading footballing nation.

Source Punch Ng

Posted January 22, 2026

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