Media personality Tacha has come out in support of Super Eagles captain Victor Osimhen following a heated moment during Nigeria’s 4‑0 win over Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16.
The drama unfolded on Monday when footage showed Osimhen confronting teammate Ademola Lookman on the pitch, despite Lookman having assisted one of Osimhen’s goals earlier in the match. Nigeria’s dominant performance secured them a place in the quarter‑finals.
After the incident drew strong reactions online, Tacha took to her verified X account to criticise those she said were unfairly attacking the forward. She wrote:
“Nigerians and see finish!! Y’all realize Victor Osimhen is our own Christiano Ronaldo?? If Ronaldo did same thing we won’t have this much uproar but of course it’s Osimhen na. Make coach just bench Osimhen for the next match I WON. Baba was on to a hat‑trick! You expect him not to shout!? Make una dey calm down! Most of orna no just like am plain and simple. SAME passion is the reason he’s one of the best attacker in world!! So Abeg shift.”
Supporters and critics reacted strongly on social media after Osimhen appeared visibly upset during the game.
Video footage from the match showed the striker charging at Lookman, who stayed composed. Osimhen reportedly signalled to the bench that he wanted to be substituted and was replaced later in the second half. He then walked off the pitch alone and went straight down the tunnel at full‑time without joining his teammates for the post‑match celebrations. Some fans inside the stadium booed him as he left.
At the post‑match press conference, Lookman played down the incident and underlined unity within the squad. He said:
“No, I have not seen him [Osimhen] yet. Nothing happened. It was just a discussion on the pitch. That is it. It’s just football. It’s always football. He (Victor Osimhen) is my brother.”
Head coach Eric Chelle also addressed the matter, saying his management would handle the situation internally.
