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Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh says Victor Osimhen’s conduct disrupted team harmony and cost Nigeria the title.
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Oliseh insists the public outburst against Ademola Lookman broke team confidence and affected on-pitch performance.
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Nigeria lost the psychological edge needed to win, despite later claiming bronze at the tournament.
Former Super Eagles captain and 1994 AFCON winner, Sunday Oliseh, has blamed Victor Osimhen for Nigeria’s failure to lift the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
Oliseh said Osimhen’s on-pitch confrontation with Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s round-of-16 match against Mozambique negatively affected team chemistry and confidence, which he believes ultimately derailed the Super Eagles’ title push.
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Speaking on his YouTube channel after the tournament, Oliseh explained that he deliberately avoided commenting earlier to prevent distractions, but felt compelled to speak after Senegal emerged champions.
According to him, while Osimhen is a world-class striker, talent does not give any player the right to undermine teammates or damage collective morale. He argued that Lookman, who was statistically Nigeria’s most dangerous player before the incident, struggled afterward due to the public criticism.
Oliseh noted that the loss of confidence within the squad became evident in Nigeria’s semifinal defeat to Morocco, stressing that mental strength is crucial at that stage of a major tournament.
He also criticised what he described as a fan culture that excuses indiscipline, warning that unchecked behaviour could harm the future of Nigerian football.
Despite the disappointment, the Super Eagles went on to secure a bronze medal after defeating Egypt in the third-place match.
Osimhen has since returned to club duties with Galatasaray and is expected to feature in their upcoming UEFA Champions League fixture.
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