Nigeria legend Sunday Oliseh has suggested that the on-pitch feud between star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman cost the Super Eagles a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title.

Osimhen was visibly frustrated with Lookman during Nigeria's 4-0 rout of Mozambique's Mambas in the round of 16.

The striker's initial frustration was aimed at Bruno Onyemaechi rather than Lookman, who only sought to mediate and inadvertently found himself caught in the crossfire.

Nigeria Football Federation officials considered intervening, but captain Wilfred Ndidi insisted on a players-only meeting, during which teammates voiced their displeasure with Osimhen's on-field conduct.

Speaking on Sunday Oliseh's Global Football Insights, Oliseh explained: "We are confusing talent with license. Victor Osimhen is world-class but talent is not a license to destroy team chemistry.

"Look at the evidence. Since that public outburst against Ademola Lookman, one of our brightest lads, Lookman became a shadow of himself and we lost the bite.

"When you publicly diminish your teammates, you break their spirit. You destroy the very confidence the team needs to survive a semifinal against a team as tactically sharp as Morocco, we needed our best players at 100 percent."

Lookman, who had emerged as the standout player of the Africa Cup of Nations following the group stage and round of 16, failed to register a goal involvement in his next three matches of the tournament.

"Statistically, Ademola Lookman was the most dangerous player in the tournament until that public verbal abuse disrupted his focus.

"You cannot expect a playmaker to perform miracles after being demoralised by a teammate. We didn’t just lose a game; we lost the psychological edge required to win."

Oliseh insisted that scoring goals for Nigeria does not grant any player the right to disrespect teammates or Super Eagles  legends such as Finidi George and Victor Ikpeba.