Osimhen owes Lookman and Nigeria unreserved apology

A former African Footballer of the Year, Victor James Osimhen, is inarguably the most impactful player in the current squad of the Super Eagles. Whenever he does not play, the team struggles. And when he has a bad day, it can be tragic as well. This is not an exaggeration because he is one of […]

A former African Footballer of the Year, Victor James Osimhen, is inarguably the most impactful player in the current squad of the Super Eagles. Whenever he does not play, the team struggles. And when he has a bad day, it can be tragic as well. This is not an exaggeration because he is one of the most complete and formidable strikers in modern football. His style is defined by a combination of elite physical attributes, a relentless work ethic and high-intensity movement. Osimhen puts fear into opposing defenders.

He is so important that many Nigerians still believe his absence at the beginning of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers contributed greatly to the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the next mundial. Out of 10 group matches, he played only six, missing four crucial fixtures. He scored eight goals – six in the group stage and two in the playoff to emerge Nigeria’s highest goal-scorer in the World Cup qualification campaign. Therefore, many are of the opinion that had he played in all the group matches, Nigeria wouldn’t have lost the World Cup ticket to South Africa.

It is, however, disturbing that this same player we all adore so much is beginning to be a pain in the neck. Of course, no human being is perfect, but Osimhen, by his recent behaviours, is showing signs of one who is determined to destroy himself. Talent is important, but self-control is even more vital to one’s success in life.  Unfortunately, this immensely talented athlete is already exhibiting character traits that, if not controlled, would ultimately ruin his flourishing career.

His recent on-field verbal attack on another Super Eagles’ influential player, Ademola Lookman at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco over Lookman’s failure to pass the ball to him has earned him instant condemnation from most Nigerian football fans. Of course, we know that during matches tempers rise. Besides, Osimhen carries a winning mentality that makes him overreact at times. Yes, he gives his all for club and country at all times, however, he is expected to show more respect to his teammates, especially even when he is not happy with them. He shouldn’t forget that he too had failed the team on a few occasions.   

Apart from showing unprofessional attitude towards his teammates, Osimhen has also not spared former Super Eagles players who dared to question his commitment to the national team and professional conduct. Most of us are aware of his misunderstanding with the legendary Victor Ikpeba and George Finidi when the former Ajax star was appointed to coach the Nigerian senior national team.

As much as I don’t want to get into trouble with his supporters, it is necessary to tell Osimhen that his attack on Lookman is similar to the behaviour of a man who intentionally bites the finger that is feeding him. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing to suggest that Osimhen is more important to the team than Lookman. As a matter of fact, if Osimhen is the head, then Lookman is the neck, and you all know where the head will be without the neck.

Sometimes, it is good to stay humble, even when we appear to be indispensable. Osimhen has no reason to undermine or harass any of his teammates, especially someone like Lookman. It is on record that at the last edition of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, Lookman scored three goals to end among the highest goal-scorers, while Osimhen scored only one goal. Lookman also made CAF’s Best XI, but Osimhen was nowhere to be found, even as he was the reigning African Footballer of the Year. Therefore, the Atalanta star player contributed more than Osimhen to the runners-up position achieved by the Super Eagles at the delayed 2023 AFCON.

At the ongoing tournament, they have scored the same number of goals, but Lookman has produced more assists. In fact, in that same match against Mozambique, the “smooth operator” had gifted him two assists for his two goals. What else did he want from his teammate? Anyway, some of Osimhen’s fans have argued that he wanted a hat-trick. This, to me, isn’t enough reason for him to behave in that manner because there is no law stating that Lookman must pass the ball to Osimhen. Anyone who acts in that way is suffering from entitlement mentality.

To make it worse, Osimhen refused to listen to his teammates, including the team captain Wilfred Ndidi, who is his senior by age and national team appearances. In fact, he demanded to be subbed off. I suspect that he didn’t want to share the same pitch with the teammate whom he concluded was against his personal interest. In the end, he was taken off, but the team went on to score an additional goal. At the end of the match, he reportedly flung away his accreditation card while threatening to dump the Super Eagles.

Yes, he is still popular among Nigerian fans. In fact, I may not like everything about him, but I am one of his fans. It is, therefore, the responsibility of everyone who wants Osimhen to succeed to continue to pray for him. Those who are close to him should continue to remind him that pride goes before a fall. I keep feeling that what is delaying his major breakthrough in European football is his temperament and inability to restrain himself from needless controversies.

In conclusion, the earlier he controls himself, the better because it is not too hard for Nigerians to turn against him. I am sure he must have seen some of the comments that trailed his recent slip. Some are already saying that he is not indispensable. No matter how good he is, he still needs his teammates. He shouldn’t forget that players like Alex Iwobi and Lookman are instrumental to most of the goals he has scored for the Super Eagles.

Moreover, he can score all the goals in the world, but it would amount to nothing more than a beautiful nonsense if no one mans the defence for him. Therefore, he shouldn’t think that he is more important than a player like Calvin Bassey, who constantly puts his life on the line with risky tackles, just to secure the Super Eagles’ backline.

So, even as I don’t subscribe to calls for him to be benched or dismissed from the ongoing AFCON, Osimhen should know that he owes Lookman and the people of Nigeria a sincere apology. More importantly, he should learn to respect his teammates, both at club and national team level.