Nigerian star Victor Osimhen left his national team's camp and returned to Turkey, announcing that he would not continue participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. This came a day after controversy surrounding his behavior following the victory over Mozambique in the round of 16, according to ARISE TV.

The match against Mozambique saw the noticeable absence of Osimhen from the celebrations of the Nigerian players after qualifying for the quarter-finals, which sparked widespread questions in the local media, especially given the sensitivity of the stage and the importance of unity within the "Super Eagles" squad.

The controversy intensified after the Nigerian national team coach made public statements criticizing Osimhen's behavior, considering team spirit and discipline to be essential elements at this stage of the tournament—a rare move against one of the team's top stars.

Osimhen's departure comes at a critical time, as the Nigerian national team prepares for a tough match against Algeria in the quarterfinals, posing a significant challenge for the coaching staff to compensate for the absence of their leading striker ahead of one of the tournament's most anticipated clashes.