Lookman plays down Osimhen exchange, insists ‘nothing happened’

Ademola Lookman has played down reports of a rift with Victor Osimhen following their brief on-field exchange during Nigeria’s 4–0 victory over Mozambique at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The Atalanta forward dismissed suggestions of tension between the Super Eagles teammates, insisting the incident was nothing more than a routine discussion during the match.

Speaking after the Round of 16 encounter, Lookman expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s progress at the tournament when asked how he was enjoying the AFCON experience.

“It’s been great. The team is improving every single day. I scored goals today,” Lookman said, reflecting on both his individual contribution and the collective growth of the squad.

Addressing the widely discussed exchange with Osimhen, Lookman revealed that he had not spoken with the Napoli striker since the incident but downplayed its significance.

“No, I haven’t seen him yet,” he said.

Clarifying what transpired on the pitch, Lookman was emphatic that there was no disagreement between the duo.

“Nothing happened. We were just discussing on the pitch, that’s it,” he stated.

When pressed on whether the issue needed to be addressed to maintain harmony within the team, the Super Eagles winger questioned the attention it had attracted.

“I don’t know what the big issue is,” he added.

Looking ahead to Nigeria’s next challenge, Lookman stressed that the team’s focus remains firmly on progressing further in the competition.

“The finals of the game is something to look forward to. Another big battle awaits us, and we need to be ready,” he said.

Nigeria will face either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarter-finals as the Super Eagles continue their quest for a fourth AFCON title.

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