Etim Esin: Osimhen Must Learn Discipline, Seek Anger Therapy

Former Nigeria international Etim Esin has advised Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen to undergo therapy to better manage his emotions on the pitch, following his controversial outburst during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Nigeria finished the tournament with a bronze medal, but Osimhen’s heated exchange with teammate Ademola Lookman in the round of 16 clash against Mozambique remains a major talking point.

Despite Lookman assisting one of Osimhen’s two goals in the match, the striker confronted him, insisting ‘it is a team sport.’

Reports later suggested Osimhen even threatened to leave the squad and return to his club, though the matter was resolved internally.

While some observers interpreted the incident as a sign of passion, Esin criticized it as indiscipline.

In a video posted on his Facebook page, the former Galatasaray star urged Osimhen to learn from the late Rashidi Yekini, who once believed the national team revolved around him.

‘Osimhen, it is teamwork, it is a collective effort. We know you are the star boy in the squad, no doubt, but your indiscipline, the manners, I think you should go into therapy; anger management,’ Esin said. He warned that teammates could isolate Osimhen on the pitch, just as Yekini experienced in 1994.