Nigeria’s AFCON campaign has, so far, felt like a quiet redemption tour — a team trying to rebuild trust after the chaos that derailed our 2026 World Cup qualification hopes. It appears there is structure, there is purpose, and there is belief again. But there is also a problem we must confront early: Victor Osimhen needs to rein himself in.
The Super Eagles soared to the AFCON quarterfinals with a commanding 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 on Monday, displaying attacking firepower and tactical control. Ademola Lookman opened the scoring before Osimhen struck twice, and Akor Adams finished the scoring. Lookman didn’t just score once, he also provided two of the three assists on the night: the pass that led to Osimhen’s second goal and the assist for Adams’ fourth. Those two direct assists to Osimhen alone made him central to Nigeria’s attacking threat.
By the tournament’s latest benchmarks, Lookman has four assists overall, the most of any player in AFCON so far, and has directly set up more goals than any other attacker to this point. Osimhen, with three goals himself in the tournament, has benefited from Lookman’s creative deliveries more than once.
But even on a night of goals and attacking inventions, Osimhen’s behaviour threatened to overshadow the result. In the 63rd minute, television cameras caught Osimhen visibly berating Lookman after a chance where he expected the ball. Osimhen was heard saying in pidgin, “no try am again” (“don’t try that again”). Shortly after, Osimhen asked to be substituted and, to the surprise of fans, stormed straight into the tunnel at full-time rather than join the team’s celebrations.
Osimhen’s hunger is priceless. His work rate terrifies defences, and Nigerians adore him for it. But these public confrontations, especially with Lookman, who contributed both goals and assists risk unsettling the dressing room. Leadership is not intimidation. It is channeling that fire against opponents, not toward those feeding you the ball. Simply put: opposition players should be at the receiving end of his bullying efforts, not his own teammates.
Lookman, by contrast, looks made for AFCON: direct, decisive, and mentally sharp when games get tense. Then there’s Alex Iwobi, currently an engine room for the Super Eagles. Iwobi is finally playing with clarity and tempo — the chief instigator linking midfield to attack.
Akor Adams’ movement and playing flair give Nigeria another dependable dimension up front. Behind them in the defence is the rock-solid Calvin Bassey. The Fulham defender has been immense, strong in duels and calm under pressure.
Midfield balance has improved thanks to Wilfred Ndidi (when fit) and Frank Onyeka, whose positioning steadies the team. However, the lingering concern remains in goal: Stanley Nwabali has shown composure in spells but still exhibits shaky moments between the sticks, the clean sheet against Mozambique notwithstanding.
Looking ahead, Nigeria’s AFCON campaign takes them to the quarter-final where they will face either Algeria or DR Congo, a matchup that promises intensity and tactical intrigue.
Overall, this is a Super Eagles side playing with discipline, humility, and a desire to right recent wrongs. The structure is clearer under Coach Eric Chelle’s leadership. The effort is collective. If Osimhen channels his intensity into leadership rather than confrontation, the ceiling rises dramatically for Nigeria, currently chasing its fourth gold at the ongoing AFCON in Morocco.
For now, redemption feels possible. We move.
