Osimhen confirms lasers were pointed at Super Eagles players, breaks silence on bonus row

Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has addressed the laser light incident and the team's decision to boycott Tuesday's training session ahead of the crucial playoff clash against Gabon.

The players skipped training on Tuesday evening in protest over unpaid bonuses and outstanding allowances, a move that briefly disrupted preparations and raised concerns ahead of Thursday's decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff encounter.

Despite the off-field tension, the Galatasaray striker delivered a match-winning performance, scoring twice in extra time as Nigeria sealed a commanding 4–1 victory over the Panthers.

Osimhen stressed that the squad remains united, noting that the players maintain constant communication and continue to motivate one another even while at their respective clubs.

"For everything that has happened, all the players we are locked in," he told ESPN UK.

"Even when we are at the club side, we speak with ourselves, we have a group that we speak with everyone, we try to motivate ourselves even during the club.

"When you have a great performance, everyone congratulates each other."

On the boycott, he praised the swift intervention of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau, who stepped in to address the players' concerns ahead of the crucial match.

"There are some things that have to be rectified. I have to say big kudos to the NFF president, he swiftly came into the picture and got it sorted, which is fine and good.

"Now, we have come and won the game, everything is resolved, we go back to our hotel and try to see if we can get it done."

The Super Eagles players had laser lights repeatedly flashed at their faces during the win over Gabon, and Victor Osimhen confirmed he spotted a fan in the stands trying to distract him with a laser pointer.

"I actually saw the person pointing the laser at me, the person was in the stands.

"They know the kind of quality we possess. They are trying to use the laser to distract us. I just keep it moving, I don't even think about it."

Despite the off-field tension, Osimhen reiterated the squad's determination to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup after failing to qualify for Qatar 2022.

"But of course, we can get it done, we have the squad to actualize the dream of going to the World Cup because everyone wants to be at the World Cup because we missed out at the last one," he said.  

Nigeria now advances to the final stage of the playoffs in Morocco, where a win against DR Congo would seal their place in next year's intercontinental playoff.

Adeyemi Adewale 

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com