AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Coach Says “Best in Training” Took Penalties After Semi-Final Loss to Morocco

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has explained his decision regarding Nigeria’s penalty takers following the team’s heartbreaking exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the AFCON final were dashed after a tense semi-final clash against Morocco ended in a penalty shootout defeat. The match finished level after regulation time, before the Atlas Lions edged the Super Eagles 4–2 on penalties to book their place in the final.

After the match, Chelle addressed the media and defended his choices from the spot, insisting that the players selected to take the penalties were the most reliable during training sessions. The Nigerian coach also responded to criticism surrounding Samuel Chukwueze’s involvement in the shootout.

“Our technical level was not the same as in the last match. I don’t want to say we were tired, but that wasn’t our usual level,” Chelle said during his post-match press conference.
“We chose the penalty takers based on training. The players who stepped up were the best during training.”