Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen was taken off for Sevilla forward Akor Adams during Nigeria’s World Cup playoff clash with DR Congo, a decision that immediately sparked widespread speculation among fans.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle, however, has maintained that the change was strictly due to injury, according to Soccernet.ng.
Chelle Addresses Osimhen’s Early Exit
Speaking after the match in an interview with sports journalist Sulaiman Adebayo (Pooja), Chelle gave a short but direct response when asked why Osimhen did not return for the second half.
“He had an injury,” the coach said.
Osimhen, who had scored twice in the semifinal against Gabon to send Nigeria into the final in Rabat, was unexpectedly removed at halftime, raising questions about what had happened in the dressing room.
Online Rumours Point to Possible Tension
During the game, unverified reports circulating on social media claimed the substitution may not have been injury-related. According to those rumours, Osimhen was allegedly involved in a heated exchange during the break.
The supposed disagreement was said to come from frustration over a first-half play involving Ademola Lookman’s cutback, which some felt should have been finished by Samuel Chukwueze or Wilfred Ndidi.
The online claims suggested that the incident may have contributed to Chelle’s decision to replace the Galatasaray forward with Adams, though there has been no official confirmation of any dressing-room dispute.
