Super Eagles icon Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha has delivered a pointed reminder to Victor Osimhen regarding squad hierarchy and professional conduct, following a heated exchange between the Galatasaray striker and teammate Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Round of 16 victory over Mozambique.
The friction, which saw Osimhen visibly berating teammates for a perceived lack of service, has sparked a wider conversation about the internal dynamics of the national team as they navigate the high-stakes knockout stages of the tournament.
Speaking as a guest on the Clutch 9 podcast, the 1994 AFCON winner and former midfield maestro offered a nuanced critique of the reigning African Footballer of the Year. While Okocha praised the “hunger and desire” fueling Osimhen’s outburst, he was firm in his stance that such public displays of frustration cross a professional line.
“Osimhen went over the board, and I have to clear that out,” Okocha remarked. “It’s good to see players that are passionate, but you must also understand that you are not bigger than your teammate. You are the same.”
Okocha, renowned for his leadership during the Super Eagles’ “Golden Era,” emphasized that while high-pressure environments naturally breed tension, the sanctity of the pitch must be preserved.
The “Dressing Room” Doctrine
The former Bolton Wanderers captain argued that public displays of dissent can inadvertently undermine team morale and provide unnecessary fodder for critics. He urged the current generation to adopt a “lock-room first” approach to grievances.
On Team Unity: “You have to respect your teammates. If you want to say something, you better say it in the dressing room.”
On Public Image: “I’m not [a fan of showing] the whole world that your colleague made a mistake. That, I don’t like.”
Despite the reprimand, Okocha refused to categorize the incident as a sign of a fractured camp. Instead, he interpreted the “fracas” as a symptom of a squad desperate to end Nigeria’s trophy drought.
Beyond the AFCON drama, Okocha’s appearance on the podcast delved into his storied career, including his mentorship of a young Ronaldinho at Paris Saint-Germain and his thoughts on Mikel Arteta’s tactical evolution at Arsenal.
However, his message to Osimhen remains the standout takeaway: In the pursuit of continental glory, individual brilliance must always bow to collective respect. For a Super Eagles side aiming for the podium in 2025, maintaining that delicate balance between Osimhen’s fiery ambition and squad harmony will be crucial.
