- Says high intensity good for Super Eagles’ success
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – As the mouth-watering AFCON quarter-final clash between Nigeria and Algeria beckons on Saturday, former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi has weighed in on the heated exchange involving Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 tie decided on Monday.
The on-field confrontation between Osimhen and Lookman occurred after the Atalanta of Italy forward failed to pass the ball to the Galatasaray’s striker in a promising move that could have secured a hat-trick for him.
Expressing his views on Obi One podcast on YouTube Wednesday, Mikel described Osimhen’s reaction as part of the “warrior spirit” needed for success at the highest level.
According to the former Chelsea midfielder, “One thing people need to understand about Victor is that he plays with his heart on his sleeve.
“He’s a fighter, he plays like a warrior, and that’s what top teams need. He gives everything on the pitch, and that’s how he gets the best out of himself.”
Talking about understanding Osimhen’s frustration, and further highlighting the mindset of most strikers in similar situations, Mikel said: “As a striker, when you score two goals, you want the third. Any striker would feel frustrated in that situation.
“Victor is a player who wins games for us, not just with the ball but with his work rate off it as well.”
However, the ex-international, who praised the competitive edge displayed by both players, expressed disapproval of Osimhen’s actions after the incident, particularly his body language and early exit from the turf.
He said, “The part where he stopped playing, running and making efforts; that part I don’t like. The part where he stood up after the game and walked straight into the dressing room. That part I didn’t like.
“Football is always about the team. No individual is bigger than the national team, and Victor knows that.”
But Mikel, who won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in the 2011/12 season, welcomed the intensity of the confrontation, noting that successful teams often thrive on high emotions and internal demands for excellence.
“I like seeing players argue and demand more from each other on the pitch. What matters is that once the game is over, you make up and move on”, he said.
Also, the former international lauded Lookman for his mature response after the match and expressed confidence that both players would resolve the issue quickly.
Hear him: “They are both important to this team. The manager has to manage the situation well because the last thing you want is friction between your two best players.”
Recalled at the time of that on-field incident, Osimhen was already on two goals in the match, with both goals assisted by Lookman, before demanding a substitution midway through the second half while Nigeria led 3–0.
The Galatasaray pointman was seen shouting and gesturing, while also bypassing the Super Eagles’ celebrations at full-time, as he left directly for the tunnel amid boos from fans.
On Saturday, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take on Desert Warriors of Algeria in one of the AFCON quarter-final encounters as they continue their bold bid for a fourth continental title.
