Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has explained the rationale behind his decision to bring on Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon in Nigeria's heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semifinals.

The game billed as a classic fell short of expectations and it was almost a foregone conclusion that a penalty shootout would be required to determine the outcome of the match.

With seven minutes left in regulation time, Paris FC star Simon came off the bench to replace the ineffective Raphael Onyedika, who earned a rare start, with influential captain Wilfred Ndidi sitting out the game due to a suspension.

In the closing stages of extra time, Chelle made another tactical adjustment as Brentford's Frank Onyeka made way for Chukwueze, a substitution that hinted at the Fulham man's role in the impending penalty shootout.

At the post-match press conference, Chelle was asked whether his substitutions against Morocco were spot on or slightly off the mark.

The Malian answered: "Like I said, normally, we play a 4-4-2 diamond, and I felt it was difficult to apply high pressure. This is why I put Moses in the midfield. After that, I brought on Chukwueze for the penalty session.

"We trained for the penalty kicks, and based on the statistics, the players who took penalties in the shootout were the best over the last month. That is why we put him on the pitch.”

Chukwueze was left in tears and was comforted by teammates and coaching staff as he walked off the pitch after Nigeria's heartbreaking loss to Morocco.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel