The landscape of African football has been set ablaze following a series of controversial player assessments by former Cameroon head coach and Indomitable Lions legend, Rigobert Song. In a viral social media segment that has stunned pundits and fans alike, Song pointedly excluded Nigeria’s premier strike force—Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman—from his “world-class” bracket, while bestowing the title on several surprise candidates.
During a rapid-fire rating session ahead of AFCON 2025, Song was asked to validate the “world-class” credentials of the continent’s biggest names. While he gave the nod to established veterans like Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez, and Achraf Hakimi, his dismissal of the Super Eagles duo has sparked accusations of a modern-day disconnect.
The Osimhen Omission: Despite Osimhen being a former African Footballer of the Year and the talismanic force behind Napoli’s historic Scudetto, Song offered a blunt “No.”
The Lookman Paradox: Even more baffling to many was the rejection of Ademola Lookman. The current African Player of the Year, who recently secured his legacy with a historic Europa League final hat-trick for Atalanta, was deemed surplus to Song’s elite list.
Surprise Inclusions Raise Eyebrows
The controversy deepened not just because of who Song excluded, but who he chose to champion. The former captain enthusiastically validated the world-class status of:
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Wilfred Zaha (Lyon, on loan from Galatasaray)
Patson Daka (Leicester City)
Mbwana Samatta (PAOK)
While these players possess undeniable talent, critics argue that their recent trajectories and trophy cabinets do not currently rival the “superstar” status of the Nigerian pair.
Strategic Mind Games or Footballing Folly?
With AFCON 2025 on the horizon, Song’s comments are being viewed through two distinct lenses:
Tactical Motivation: Some analysts believe this is a calculated attempt to stir the pot and place psychological pressure on a fierce rival.
Out of Touch: Others suggest the former coach may be leaning on past reputations rather than current European and continental form, where Osimhen and Lookman are statistically dominant.
“If Osimhen and Lookman weren’t fired up for AFCON 2025 before, they certainly are now. Song has just handed Nigeria’s finest the ultimate bulletin board material.”
Whatever the motivation, the stage is now set for a high-stakes showdown in Morocco. If Nigeria’s elite duo translates this perceived disrespect into goals, Song’s “world-class” criteria may be subjected to an even harsher post-tournament review.
