AFCON 2025: Chelle Breaks Silence After Osimhen’s Angry Reaction at Being Substituted vs Tanzania
- Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has spoken about Victor Osimhen’s angry reaction after he was substituted
- The striker was visibly animated after he was substituted in the 86th minute against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania
- The Galatasaray star struggled to have an impact, with his best bit being a disallowed goal, and another cleared off the line
- A sport analyst warned that Osimhen needs to realise his place in the team and manage his emotions which is becoming disrespectful
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has spoken about Victor Osimhen's angry reaction following his substitution during the 2-1 win over Tanzania.
Osimhen was Chelle's third and final substitution during the win, making way for Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu, who saw out the match.
Source: Getty Images
As noted by NFF, the Galatasaray forward had a frustrating night in Fez. Bakari Mwamnyeto cleared his goal-bound attempt off the line and had a goal disallowed for offside.s
He missed other chances, putting the ball off target on a few occasions, and Tanzanian goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi thwarted his three shots on target.
Chelle speaks about Osimhen’s frustration
Victor Osimhen was visibly frustrated at watching the final seven minutes of the match on the bench and had a quick exchange with Chelle before taking his seat.
The manager has lifted the lid on the incident after speaking to the player, but did not divulge the details of their conversation.
“We talked with Victor, and it will stay between me and him. He had some frustration, but we will focus on teamwork and his contribution. He played well, had some chances, and even had a goal cleared off the line,” the coach said.
Tanzania’s head coach, Miguel Gamondi, who had earlier vowed to neutralise Osimhen, said after the match that his team did a good job at that through their tactical setup.
“Nigeria had a lot of possession, but we neutralised them well through our tactical system. They did create chances, but most of them came from individual quality, which is not surprising,” he told CAF TV.
Source: Getty Images
Yakubu Aiyegbeni advises Osimhen
Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who was in Fez to cheer the players, sent a message to the former Napoli striker after the match.
“I think today so far so good you know and as a striker you miss chances and you score some, and I think he worked so hard for the team, and he's just unlucky today not to score,” he told Ademola Victor TV.
Osimhen remains a central figure in the Super Eagles, and he needs to improve on his tally of one AFCON goal so far to help Nigeria win its fourth title.
The team’s focus turns to the biggest game of the group stage against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on Saturday, December 27, 2025.
Nigerian football analyst Olayemi Busari based in Rabat, Morocco, applauds Eric Chelle's diplomacy, but warns Victor Osimhen to keep his emotions in check.
“Eric Chelle has handled the situation well and deescalated it publicly to avoid it being blown out of proportion,” he told Legit.ng.
“Victor Osimhen is a passionate and an emotional guy, but he has to put his emotions in check. Some of his recent tantrums are borderline disrespectful, particularly to his colleagues.”
Ndidi reacts to Osimhen's frustration
Legit.ng reported that Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi reacted to Victor Osimhen’s frustration at his substitution against Tanzania.
The captain claimed he did not see the incident, but will speak to the striker and will advise him not to put too much pressure on himself.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
