Omotayo Fashola
Former Nigeria captain John Mikel Obi has issued a stern reminder to star striker Victor Osimhen, emphasizing that “no single player outweighs the collective strength of the national team.”
Mikel shared these thoughts during his podcast, addressing the heated on-pitch exchange between Osimhen and teammate Ademola Lookman.
The incident occurred during Nigeria’s dominant 4-0 win over Mozambique in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
During the match, Osimhen expressed visible frustration after Lookman opted to shoot instead of passing the ball, eventually storming toward the bench while gesturing angrily.
“What concerned me most was when he disengaged from play—stopped moving, stopped pressing,” stated Mikel.
“Then there was his reaction after the final whistle, walking straight off the pitch without acknowledging teammates or fans. That wasn’t acceptable.”
Mikel, who captained Nigeria for years, added, “The Super Eagles jersey demands respect. Every player, regardless of stature, must prioritize the team above personal grievances.”
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“Victor Osimhen is a phenomenal talent with great humility… But the moment he abandoned the game’s flow and later isolated himself post-match—that crossed a line.”
– Mikel Obi pic.twitter.com/zGWGhxvmRe
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) January 7, 2026
