Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has finally addressed the controversial decision to substitute star striker Victor Osimhen moments before the crucial penalty shootout against Morocco in the AFCON 2025 semifinal.
The Semifinal Heartbreak in Rabat
Nigeria's dream of a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title was shattered in Rabat on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. After a grueling 120 minutes of football ended in a 0-0 stalemate, the host nation, Morocco, edged out the Super Eagles 4-2 in a penalty shootout. The defeat sent the Atlas Lions to their first final in 22 years, leaving Nigeria to contest the third-place playoff.
The match itself was a tense, tactical affair, but the post-match discussion was dominated by one pivotal moment. In the 118th minute, with penalties looming, coach Eric Chelle made the shocking decision to withdraw vice-captain Victor Osimhen, replacing him with Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu.
Chelle's Explanation: A Medical and Tactical Call
Facing a backlash from confused and angry supporters, Chelle clarified his reasoning ahead of Nigeria's bronze medal match against Egypt. The Malian-born manager stated the substitution was a combination of medical necessity and pre-planned strategy.
"Victor had a problem with his ankle," Chelle revealed, explaining the physical condition of the tournament's joint-top scorer. "So I put Paul because he kicks penalties well."
Chelle further elaborated that the coaching staff had meticulously prepared for a potential shootout throughout the tournament. "During all of the training sessions in this AFCON, the players kick some penalties. So we did some statistics about that," he said. The decision was data-driven, based on the players' success rates from the spot during practice.
How the Penalty Plan Unraveled
Initially, Chelle's strategy seemed justified. The substitute, Paul Onuachu, calmly converted Nigeria's first penalty, giving the Super Eagles an early advantage. However, the plan quickly fell apart when another substitute, Samuel Chukwueze, failed to score from Nigeria's second attempt.
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou capitalized on the shift in momentum, making decisive saves to secure his team's passage to the final. Despite the outcome, Chelle stood by his decision, maintaining it was made in the best interest of the team given the circumstances.
Osimhen's brilliance at the tournament remains undimmed by the semifinal exit. The Galatasaray striker has been instrumental for Nigeria, contributing four goals and two assists and positioning himself as a strong contender for the Player of the Tournament award.
Looking Ahead: The Fight for Bronze
The Super Eagles must now regroup quickly for the third-place playoff against arch-rivals Egypt on Saturday in Rabat. The match offers Nigeria a chance to salvage a bronze medal from a campaign that promised more. While the pain of the semifinal loss lingers, Chelle believes in the team's resilience and quality to end their AFCON 2025 journey on a positive note.
In related news, Victor Osimhen has separately criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the standard of officiating in the semifinal, specifically targeting the performance of Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea during the tense encounter.
