Eric Chelle opens up on clash between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman at AFCON 2025

Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle has addressed the on-field spat between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash against Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. 

The incident had sparked widespread discussion during the tournament.
 
“On the pitch, there was a discussion with Lookman. Victor told him, ‘We need to stop playing in front of goal.’ Things got a little heated, a minor altercation, but that’s part of locker room life,” Chelle told After Foot RMC.

“At the end of the match, he went home upset; he needed time to calm down. And once he did, he became the Victor we know again. There was never any question of him not playing against Algeria in the quarterfinal. What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room. I didn’t even need to intervene. We went back to the hotel, they talked it over, and that was it.”

Chelle also praised the striking duo, highlighting their dedication and professionalism.

“In front of goal, those two guys are top-level. Even better, this tension would almost make sense when you’re talking about two strikers obsessed with scoring. Victor is a machine. If he doesn’t do his specific striker drills or score in training, it drives him crazy. He wants to win everything. For him, it’s not a funfair. Lookman is the same, but calmer,” he said.

“Frankly, I’ve seen strikers, but to strike the ball like they do, right foot, left foot… that’s a very, very high level.”