Former Super Eagles captain and head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has attributed Nigeria’s failure to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco to what he described as indiscipline and individual excesses, particularly involving star striker Victor Osimhen.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Oliseh said a public confrontation between Osimhen and teammate Ademola Lookman disrupted team harmony and ultimately weakened Nigeria’s title challenge.
He referenced the on-field altercation during Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 Round of 16 victory over Mozambique, where Osimhen was seen angrily rebuking Lookman for failing to release the ball in a promising attacking move. Although the Super Eagles advanced comfortably to the quarter-finals, the incident triggered widespread criticism from fans, many of whom labelled Osimhen’s conduct unprofessional.
According to Oliseh, the impact of the clash extended beyond that match, insisting it affected Lookman’s confidence and output in subsequent games, particularly in the semi-final.
“Let’s look at the toxicity that might have cost us the AFCON title,” Oliseh said.
“We are confusing talent with licence. Victor Osimhen is world-class, but talent is not a licence to destroy team chemistry.”
The former Ajax and Juventus midfielder argued that Lookman, statistically one of Nigeria’s most dangerous players at the tournament, lost his edge after the public outburst.
“Since that verbal attack on Ademola Lookman, one of our brightest lights, he became a shadow of himself and we lost our bite,” he stated.
“When you publicly diminish your teammates, you break their spirit and destroy the confidence needed to survive a semi-final.”
Oliseh stressed that against a tactically disciplined side like Morocco, Nigeria needed all its key players operating at full confidence.
“You can’t expect a playmaker to perform miracles after being demoralised by his own teammate. We didn’t just lose a game; we lost the psychological edge needed to win.”
His criticism also extended to what he described as a growing fan culture that excuses indiscipline from star players, warning that such tolerance poses a long-term danger to Nigerian football.
Oliseh further cited Osimhen’s earlier public criticism of former Super Eagles coach Finidi George as another example of unchecked excess, insisting that no individual is bigger than the national team.
“Scoring goals for Nigeria doesn’t give you the licence to disrespect certified legends like Finidi George or Victor Ikpeba,” he said.
“If goals justified arrogance, what should legends like Amokachi, Amunike, Okocha, Babangida — and myself — do? Walk on people’s heads?”
He added that past generations of Super Eagles players respected the jersey and understood that character outweighed temporary success.
Oliseh also faulted the celebrations that followed Nigeria’s third-place finish at the tournament, after the Super Eagles defeated Egypt on penalties to claim their ninth AFCON bronze medal.
“There was a time we shed tears at second place because anything but the trophy was failure,” he said.
“Celebrating third place builds a culture of mediocrity.”
He concluded with a warning that unless issues of discipline and administration are urgently addressed, the future of the Super Eagles could be at risk.
