Four key members of Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad are walking a disciplinary tightrope at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, with Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Semi Ajayi and Stanley Nwabali one yellow card away from a ban that would rule them out of the Round of 16, sources said Tuesday.
Nigeria has already secured its place in the knockout stage after a dramatic 3-2 victory against Tunisia last Saturday, but the team’s momentum could be dampened by looming suspensions as they prepare to face Uganda in their final Group C match.
Osimhen, the team’s talismanic striker who opened the scoring against Tunisia, was booked after celebrating by gesturing towards the opposition bench, while Lookman — who scored and assisted in Nigeria’s opening matches — received a caution in the first game against Tanzania. Defender Semi Ajayi and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali were also booked in the Tunisia clash, each now on the brink of suspension.
A further yellow card for any of the quartet in Tuesday’s Uganda game would trigger an automatic ban for the Round of 16, forcing coach Éric Chelle to consider squad rotation or alternative plans.
“If one more booking comes, that player will miss the next game,” a coaching source said on condition of anonymity, underlining the strategic dilemma facing Nigeria’s management. With qualification secure, officials have hinted at the possibility of resting some players to preserve their availability for the knockout phase.
Osimhen’s goalscoring prowess and Lookman’s attacking flair have been central to Nigeria’s AFCON campaign so far, helping the Super Eagles qualify with confidence. However, the disciplinary situation now adds a new layer of tension ahead of a crucial finale against the Cranes of Uganda.
