Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has clarified why Victor Osimhen did not take part in the penalty shootout during Nigeria’s semifinal defeat to Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Nigeria lost 4–2 on penalties after extra time, with the decision coming amid questions over the striker’s late substitution.

Osimhen was withdrawn in the closing moments of extra time and replaced by Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu, a change that ruled the Galatasaray striker out of the shootout. 

Onuachu went on to convert Nigeria’s opening spot kick, but misses from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyeamachi proved costly as Morocco advanced to the final.

Explaining the decision, Chelle said Osimhen approached him before the shootout to declare himself unfit. 

"We take the penalty kicks at every training session. I have stats showing who shoots best, who shoots worst," Eric Chelle said on RMC Sport's After Foot.

"Regarding Victor's case, before the penalty shootout, he came to me and said, 'Coach my ankle is really bad, it hurts, I can't take a penalty kick."

The Malian tactician, however, declined to offer details on why Alex Iwobi did not step up to take a penalty, despite his status as one of the leaders in the Super Eagles dressing room.

"I have my own statistics. Ademola Lookman was the fifth taker. Iwobi, it's something that I should not talk about. I said everything that happens in the group stays in the group," Chelle noted. 

The coach added that penalty decisions are based on preparation and player readiness, explaining that he personally selected the takers during the shootout against Egypt in the third-place playoff.

"But what happens is that you nominate the guys who want to shoot or you ask them, and make your own judgement. Against Egypt, I chose the takers, that way you take responsibility," he said. 

Despite missing out on a place in the final, the Super Eagles secured the bronze medal after defeating Egypt on penalties in the third-place playoff.

Adeyemi Adewale