Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has explained his decision to substitute Victor Osimhen before the penalty shootout in Nigeria’s 4-2 semifinal defeat to Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night.

Osimhen, who has been one of Nigeria’s standout performers throughout the tournament, was withdrawn in the 118th minute of the tense encounter, with Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu coming on in his place.

The substitution sparked widespread reactions among Super Eagles fans, many of whom questioned the decision, especially as the Galatasaray forward did not participate in the ensuing penalty shootout that saw Nigeria crash out of the competition.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s third-place playoff against Egypt, Chelle revealed that Osimhen was struggling with an ankle injury, which influenced his late tactical call.

“During all of the training sessions in this AFCON, the players kick some penalties. So we did some statistics about that and for the penalty session,” he said.  

“I did some substitutions because Victor had a problem with his ankle, so I put Paul because he kicks well.”

Onuachu justified the coach’s confidence by calmly converting Nigeria’s first spot kick. However, the Super Eagles lost momentum after another substitute, Samuel Chukwueze, missed the Eagles’ second penalty.

Chelle also defended his decision to include Chukwueze among the penalty takers, despite the winger having only just been introduced late in the game in place of Frank Onyeka.

 “You know Samuel is the best penalty kicker in the team. He never missed a penalty during maybe 400 penalty kicks,” he revealed.

Following the heartbreaking semifinal exit, the Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the third-place match against Egypt, as they seek to end their AFCON campaign on a positive note by securing the bronze medal.

Adeyemi Adewale