Nigeria icon Jay-Jay Okocha has warned Victor Osimhen that he is not ‘bigger than his teammates’ following his on-field spat with Ademola Lookman at AFCON.
Okocha Reacts to Osimhen and Lookman Spat
Former Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha has responded to an on-field spat between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, warning the former that he is not ‘bigger than his teammates’.
The pair clashed in a heated exchange during the Super Eagles’ 4-0 win over Mozambique in the round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco last week.
The incident occurred in the 63rd minute as Nigeria comfortably led the clash 3-0.
Osimhen had already scored two by this point, but eager for a hat-trick, the forward exploded with rage and berated both Lookman and Bruno Onyemaechi for not passing him the ball.
Subsequently, Osimhen demanded to be substituted and was booed off the pitch.
After the full-time whistle, he skipped out on the team’s post-match huddle and headed straight to the dressing room alone. He also refused to take part in mandatory media duties.
Speaking on the Clutch 9 YouTube channel, Okocha reacted to the incident.
He said: “These things happen, and I love to see that sometimes in a team. It shows that they want to win; they are not just there to play and go home. They want to achieve something.
“If players are criticising each other, if players are upset for not getting the right service or their teammates are not doing the right thing – yes, Victor Osimhen went overboard; I have to clear that up – but it is good to see players who are passionate.
“But also understand that you are not bigger than your teammates; you are the same, you have to respect your teammates.
“If you want to say something, you’d better say it in the dressing room and not show the whole world that your colleague made a mistake. I don’t like it, but it’s also good to see that passion.”
"…Osimhen went over the board, but it's good to see players that are passionate but also understand that you are not bigger than your teammates."
– Augustine Jay-Jay Okocha pic.twitter.com/9yqgx0vtR7
— @đŒđ»đČđ·đŒđŻđčđČđđđŻđŒđ (@OneJoblessBoy) January 11, 2026
Osimhen and Lookman Insist They Are ‘Brothers’
Immediately after the win over Mozambique, Lookman spoke on the incident.
“He’s our number one guy, everyone knows this. Top striker, top player, the rest is not really important. There are no issues between me and Victor. It’s just football. He is my brother.”
Both players have since featured for Nigeria in their 2-0 win over Algeria in the quarter-finals, in which Osimhen scored the opener before assisting Akor Adams for his side’s second.
Asked about the incident after the match, Osimhen reiterated Lookman’s comments.
He said: “Lookman is my brother. What happened was just a misunderstanding, but you know, this is football. There is nothing to say about my brother. We are very close on the field.”
Their brotherly friendship may soon take a hit at club level however, with former Charlton, Everton, Fulham and Leicester winger Lookman tipped to join Osimhen in the Turkish Super Lig.
Lookman is linked with Fenerbahce, who are Osimhen and Galatasaray’s archrivals.
But for now, their entire focus will be placed on Wednesday night’s semi-final against tournament hosts Morocco, with Eric Chelle’s side vying for their first AFCON title since 2013.
The latest Wilfred Ndidi injury update revealed that the Super Eagles’ skipper may return for the final should Nigeria qualify. Regardless of his fitness status, he is suspended for the semi-final.
Right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel remains doubtful after sustaining an injury against Algeria.
