Eric Chelle, Super Eagles head coach, has defended his decision to bring on Samuel Chukwueze for the penalty shootout against Morocco.

On Wednesday, Nigeria lost 4-2 on penalties to Morocco and failed to qualify for the final of the continental competition.

The match ended goalless after 120 minutes, and penalty misses from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi sealed the loss for Nigeria in the shootouts.

Chukwueze was brought on late into extra time, and his only contribution to the match was the penalty miss. Many Nigerians on social media have criticised Chelle for the substitution.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Chelle said Chukwueze was one of the best penalty takers in training, and his call was based on “statistics.”

He added that all the Eagles’ players who took kicks during the shootouts were the “best” takers during practice.

“I put Chukwueze for the penalty session because we did work in all training sessions for the penalties,” the coach said.

“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.”

In November 2025, penalty shootouts cost Nigeria its ticket to the 2026 World Cup. The Eagles lost 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo in the final of the African playoffs for the World Cup. (Arise News)

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