Eric Chelle Explains Why He Allowed Chukwueze Take Penalty

Chukwueze: Why Super Eagles Star Took Penalty Against Morocco – Coach Chelle Explains

Samuel Chukwueze has been at the center of discussions following Nigeria’s painful exit from the AFCON 2025 semi-final after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco.

The Super Eagles were defeated 4–2 on penalties by the Atlas Lions after a tense encounter, with Chukwueze missing a crucial spot kick that could have given Nigeria the advantage during the shootout.

Why Chukwueze Took the Penalty

Reacting to the criticism surrounding the miss, Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, explained that Chukwueze was chosen based on merit and performance during training.

According to Chelle, the players selected to take penalties were the most reliable and consistent during practice sessions.

> “We put Chukwueze for penalties because the guys who kicked the penalties were the best in training,” Chelle said.

The coach made it clear that the decision was purely technical and not influenced by pressure or favoritism.

Coach Chelle Refuses to Blame Chukwueze

Despite the miss, Chelle defended the Villarreal winger, stressing that Chukwueze is one of the best penalty takers in the squad and should not be singled out for the defeat.

Bruno Onyemaechi also missed his penalty, contributing to Nigeria’s loss, but the coach insisted football is a collective responsibility.

Chelle Speaks on Super Eagles’ Overall Performance

Speaking further on the team’s performance, Chelle admitted that the Super Eagles did not play at the same technical level they displayed in previous matches.

> “Our technicality was not like the same from last match. I don’t want to say we were tired, but that’s not the level,” he added.

What This Means for Chukwueze and Nigeria

Samuel Chukwueze remains one of Nigeria’s most important attacking players, and the coach’s comments suggest the winger still enjoys full confidence within the team.

While the AFCON 2025 semi-final loss was disappointing, attention is now shifting to rebuilding and preparing the Super Eagles for future competitions.