Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has addressed the controversial tactical decision to introduce Samuel Chukwueze late in extra time specifically for the penalty shootout during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash with hosts Morocco. The match ended 0–0 after 120 minutes before Morocco won the shootout 4–2, eliminating the Super Eagles from the tournament.
Chukwueze — a Fulham winger — was substituted on in the closing stages of extra time and subsequently took Nigeria’s second penalty, which was saved, drawing sharp criticism from fans and pundits alike.
At the post-match press conference, Chelle explained that the decision was not random but based on preparation and data gathered in training. He stressed that Nigeria had worked extensively on penalties in the build-up to the knockout stage, and that the players selected for the shootout — including Chukwueze — were those who performed best during practice sessions and warm-ups.
“I put Chukwueze in for the penalty session because we did work on penalties in all training sessions. With the statistics, the guys who kicked penalties were the best during the warm-ups — that is why we have these guys on the pitch,” Chelle said.
The coach also confirmed that Chukwueze’s inclusion was part of a broader strategy to place players on the field who had demonstrated the most confidence and consistency from the spot in training — even if they had not featured heavily during normal play.
Despite the logic behind the decision, the outcome — Nigeria’s elimination from the tournament — has sparked debate on social media and among supporters, with some questioning why Chukwueze was not given more playing time before being called upon in such a high-pressure moment.
Chelle and the Super Eagles now look ahead to their third-place playoff match against Egypt, hoping to end the AFCON campaign on a strong note after the disappointment of falling short in the semi-final.