Galatasaray forward, Victor Osimhen, was replaced by Sevilla FC forward Akor Adams during the Super Eagles clash against DR Congo…
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has insisted that Victor Osimhen was substituted due to injury, Soccernet.ng reports.
Despite growing rumours that the Galatasaray striker was involved in a dressing-room bust-up at halftime of Nigeria’s World Cup playoff defeat to DR Congo.
The former Napoli forward, who scored twice against Gabon in the semifinal to send Nigeria into Sunday’s final in Rabat, was surprisingly withdrawn at the start of the second half.
Sevilla striker Akor Adams replaced him, which immediately raised eyebrows across the Nigerian football community—especially as the Super Eagles looked disorganised and toothless without their talisman.
Chelle on Why Osimhen Was Subbed Off
Speaking to sports journalist Sulaiman Adebayo, known as Pooja, who asked directly about the situation surrounding Osimhen after the match.
“He had an injury,” Chelle kept his explanation brief.
In fact, Pooja shared a video showing the former LOSC Lille forward limping on the pitch after the game.
Watch Osimhen hobbling on the pitch here:
Victor Osimhen was clearly hobbling after the game. He was injured at HT. #poojainmorocco pic.twitter.com/V53PyNJ8WI
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) November 16, 2025
Rumours of Dressing-Room Tension Emerge
Despite Chelle’s statement, reports circulating online during the game claimed that forward’s withdrawal was not due to injury or tactical adjustments.
Instead, the rumour alleged that the striker was involved in a heated confrontation in the dressing room at halftime.
According to the unverified claims, the issue reportedly stemmed from frustration over a first-half incident involving Ademola Lookman’s cutback, which many believed should have been converted by Samuel Chukwueze or Wilfred Ndidi.
The rumour suggested that the moment triggered tension and eventually led to Chelle replacing Osimhen with Sevilla’s Adams.
Rumours Circulate in the Nigerian Football Community:
You copied this nonsense from a group chat and posted it here without verification? https://t.co/qLHGKihI0u
— Ayomide Oguntimehin (@ayo_oguntimehin) November 17, 2025
Nigeria’s Collapse Without Osimhen
Whatever the true reason for his withdrawal, the Nigerian striker’s absence was glaring. Nigeria struggled to maintain possession, failed to build attacks, and were outplayed for large stretches of the second half and extra time.
The Super Eagles eventually fell 6–5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, losing their ticket to the 2026 intercontinental World Cup playoffs.
Chelle later revealed that a DR Congo official performing repeated “voodoo-like” gestures during the shootout was the source of the heated clash between both benches at full-time.
This added to the chaotic end to a frustrating evening for Nigeria.