- Sunday Oliseh links AFCON 2025 loss to team indiscipline
- Osimhen–Lookman clash blamed for dressing-room tension
- Oliseh warns talent should not override team respect
- Former captain criticises celebration of third-place finish
Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has blamed Victor Osimhen’s indiscipline for Nigeria’s failure to lift the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, insisting that internal conflicts damaged team unity at a decisive stage of the tournament.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Sunday Oliseh pointed to a public confrontation between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 Round of 16 win over Mozambique, describing it as a turning point that negatively affected the squad.
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According to Oliseh, Osimhen openly scolded Lookman for not releasing the ball in a promising attacking move, an incident he believes disrupted harmony within the team.
“Let’s look at the toxicity that might have cost us the AFCON title. We are confusing talent with licence. Victor Osimhen is world-class, but talent is not a licence to destroy team chemistry,” Oliseh said.
The former captain noted that Lookman’s performance dipped after the incident, which he said weakened Nigeria’s attacking threat during the semi-final clash against Morocco.
Oliseh stressed that public criticism among teammates erodes confidence, especially in high-pressure matches.
“When you publicly diminish your teammates, you break their spirit. You destroy the very confidence a team needs to survive a semi-final. Against a tactically sharp team like Morocco, we needed everyone at 100 per cent,” he added.
He also criticised Nigerian football fans for excusing such behaviour from star players, warning that tolerating indiscipline could harm the future of the national team.
Oliseh referenced Osimhen’s past public criticism of former Super Eagles coach Finidi George, saying goals should never justify disrespect.
“Scoring goals for Nigeria doesn’t give you the licence to disrespect certified legends like Finidi George or Victor Ikpeba. If goals alone justified arrogance, what should legends like Amokachi, Amunike, Okocha, Babangida and myself do? Walk on people’s heads?” he asked.
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder also questioned the enthusiasm that followed Nigeria’s third-place finish, secured via penalties against Egypt after a goalless draw.
“There was a time the Super Eagles cried after finishing second. To us, anything but the trophy was failure. Celebrating third place only builds a culture of mediocrity,” Oliseh said.
While acknowledging Osimhen’s importance to the team, Oliseh maintained that discipline, respect, and unity must always come before individual brilliance if Nigeria hopes to reclaim continental glory.