Nigeria vs Mozambique: Osimhen's attitude stinks as Iwobi steps out of Okocha's shadow

The Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their spot in the quarterfinals of AFCON 2025 following a comprehensive 4-0 win over Mozambique, but Victor Osimhen’s childish act overshadowed the team’s win. 

Although Osimhen scored twice, adding to goals from Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams, it was his behaviour that grabbed the headlines. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria Managing Editor, Joba Ogunwale,  takes a look at the major talking points from the emphatic win.

Since he made his debut for Nigeria in 2015, Alex Iwobi has played under the weight of comparisons with his uncle, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha. 

His performances have always been viewed through the lens of what Okocha did for the Super Eagles. No matter what he does, Iwobi’s performances have never been enough for many Nigerians, who hold him to the same standards they set for his uncle. 

However, at AFCON 2025, Iwobi finally stepped out of his uncle’s shadow and shut his critics up permanently. He has been one of Nigeria’s best players in this tournament, showing that again in the win over Mozambique. 

While he was not credited with an assist, the Fulham star was involved in Nigeria’s first two goals and was also the foundation of every one of the team’s attacks in the final third. 

His brilliant through ball set up Akor Adams, who then squared it for Lookman for the team’s opening goal. Iwobi repeated the same feat for Nigeria’s second goal,  releasing Lookman with another superb pass before the Atalanta man’s cross set up Osimhen for the second. 

It was an all-round performance from the former Arsenal man, showing once again why he should be more appreciated.

Yes, he might not be as talented as his uncle, but Iwobi has shown that he deserves the same respect we give his uncle. 

If Lookman’s performances at AFCON 2023 were impressive, then he has fully owned this year’s edition. 

At AFCON 2023, he finished with three goals as Nigeria reached the final, but he has already matched that tally with at least one game to play and a maximum of three. 

However, it is not just the goals that have made AFCON 2025 special for the former Leicester City man. He has also set up three for his teammates, including two for Osimhen in tonight’s game. 

Yes, Osimhen may be the star of the team, but Lookman has been Nigeria’s best player in this competition. 

The pressure is finally over for Osimhen as he made history by scoring multiple goals in a senior international tournament for Nigeria. 

Before this tournament, Osimhen had just one goal in a major competition for Nigeria. However, his two goals against Mozambique took his tally at AFCON 2025 to three. 

But for all of his brilliance in front of goal, his attitude stinks and could cost the team if he is not cautioned. He expresses his frustrations with his teammates if they don't pass to him or if they make wrong passes. 

Yes, he is competitive, but he also needs to remember that football is a team game, and he cannot get passes all the time. 

There was a moment in the second half where he lashed out at Bruno Onyemaechi for not passing to him. It was a stupid thing to do because the Super Eagles were in a comfortable position. 

Osimhen then made the situation worse by lashing out at Lookman, who had tried to calm him down. No matter how competitive you are, you do not disrespect your teammates just because they failed to do your bidding. 

The Galatasaray man acted like a petulant child and should be cautioned going into the quarter-final game on Saturday. 

Coming into this competition, Eric Chelle faced heavy criticism for his refusal to change his preferred 4-4-2 formation. 

It was obvious that the 4-4-2 formation affected the team’s balance, as it leaves the team with a two-man midfield pairing. 

However, Chelle decided to switch things up against Tunisia by playing a three-man midfield, which appeared to work, as Nigeria went 3-0 up before conceding two late goals. 

Nonetheless, Chelle has now realised that a three-man midfield works perfectly for the team, which is probably not a coincidence that the team kept its first clean sheet of the tournament.