Before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, controversy trailed the Super Eagles following a prophecy by a popular cleric who warned the team’s coach against starting Ademola Lookman in Nigeria’s opening match, claiming the winger would bring bad luck. Around the same time, some football pundits and former players also advised that Lookman and Victor Osimhen should not be played together, insisting the duo could not effectively combine.

However, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has ignored those claims, consistently pairing the two former African Footballers of the Year as his main attacking weapons. So far, that decision has paid off, as their partnership has driven Nigeria deep into the tournament.

Victor Osimhen has recorded three goals and three assists, while Ademola Lookman has also netted three goals with four assists. Remarkably, both players have been involved in almost every goal Nigeria has scored, often setting each other up.

As a result, many fans have mocked the earlier prophecies, suggesting either the gods were wrong or the cleric misunderstood the message he claimed to have received.

Yet, events during Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash against Mozambique on Monday, January 5, raised fresh questions. While the Super Eagles cruised to a dominant victory, a tense moment between the team’s two biggest stars left fans uneasy.

In the 65th minute, with Nigeria already leading 3–0, television cameras captured a heated exchange between Osimhen and Lookman just before a Nigerian corner kick. Osimhen, who had already scored twice, appeared furious, shouting and gesturing angrily at Lookman.

Reports suggest Osimhen’s frustration stemmed from an earlier attack in which he felt Lookman should have passed the ball to him for a possible hat-trick instead of taking a shot himself. Teammates briefly stepped in to calm the situation before Lookman eventually took the corner.

Moments later, Osimhen was seen beckoning to coach Eric Chelle to substitute him. He appeared reluctant to continue play and was withdrawn four minutes later, with Moses Simon taking his place.

On the bench, Osimhen’s body language reflected lingering frustration. He reportedly did not join the team’s post-match celebrations and left the dressing room earlier than his teammates.

The incident sparked intense debate on social media. While some fans defended Osimhen’s reaction as the mark of an elite winning mentality, others criticised his behaviour as disrespectful to teammates, arguing that he needs to show more restraint when things do not go his way.

Coach Eric Chelle later downplayed the incident during his post-match press conference, describing it as “hunger for glory.” However, many Nigerians believe that if the Super Eagles are to win a fourth AFCON title, harmony between their two biggest stars is crucial.

Fans insist that Lookman and Osimhen must remain on the same page, not at each other’s throats, warning that unchecked tension—especially from Osimhen—could turn him into the very factor that ends up rocking the boat.