Eric Chelle Explains Why Troost-Ekong Stayed on the Bench During Nigeria’s Penalty Shootout Loss to DR Congo
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has addressed the growing debate surrounding his decision to leave William Troost-Ekong on the bench during Nigeria’s dramatic penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo.
As the match moved toward spot kicks, many fans expected Troost-Ekong, Nigeria’s trusted penalty taker, to be brought on to boost the team’s chances. Instead, Chelle introduced Chidozie Awaziem in the closing minutes of extra time, a move that sparked criticism among supporters and analysts.
Speaking to journalists after the match, Chelle defended his decision, explaining that it was influenced by the flow of the game rather than preparation for penalties.
“We did a penalty session yesterday. But it was a choice and if we come back maybe one hour later and this is not the same,” he said, emphasizing how quickly a coach’s plans can shift during a tense contest.
Chelle added that his priority at that moment was to solidify the defense, as he felt the team was at risk late in the game.
“It was a choice because I did feel that we were in danger during the ten last minutes that is why we put another defender,” he explained.
He acknowledged that the decision may appear questionable after the outcome but insisted that he acted based on what he believed was best at the time.
“So, it is easy now to say maybe the best choice was the captain. So, it was a choice and reality we lost and I have to be focused on the next competition,” he added.
The Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup were dashed on Sunday following a tense 4–3 penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
