AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle Reacts After Super Eagles Semifinal Loss to Morocco
- Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has shared his thoughts after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations loss to Morocco
- Nigeria lost to the host nation 4-2 on penalties in the semi-final after a goalless intense battle in 120 minutes
- The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in the third-place match in Casablanca on Saturday
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has shared his thoughts after Nigeria lost to Morocco in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria took the Atlas Lions to the limit, playing a goalless draw after an intense 120-minute battle at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Source: Getty Images
The match was decided by penalties, and Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed their efforts to give Morocco the win and the final slot.
Nigeria will face Egypt in the third-place match after the Pharaohs lost to the Teranga Lions of Senegal in the other semi-final, thanks to Sadio Mane's goal.
Chelle reacts to Super Eagles loss
Head coach Eric Chelle was brutally honest during his post-match conference and admitted that the level the team played today was not their best.
“The match was never easy, but the players showed a strong mental response and fought for every ball. Losing on penalties is very painful. It’s difficult because we worked hard throughout the entire tournament, but that’s football. We must continue working,” he told CAF Online.
“We played this match with high pressing, because if you don’t press, you leave spaces and the situation becomes very complicated.
“From a technical point of view, we were not at the same level we showed in other matches. I don’t want to say the reason was fatigue, but the truth is that we lacked movement and power.”
Nigerians questioned the introduction of Samuel Chukwueze in the closing seconds of the match for penalties, but unfortunately, he missed, playing a ridiculous penalty.
Read also
Victor Osimhen highlights key figure in Nigeria's AFCON 2025 success ahead of Morocco clash
Chelle defended his decision to introduce the AC Milan-owned winger, claiming those who went first were the best during the shootout practice in training.
“We put Chukwueze for penalties because the guys who kicked the penalties were the best in training,” he said.
Source: Getty Images
The manager will now focus on preparing his team for the bronze medal match against Egypt on Saturday to bring to an end a decent and slightly disappointing campaign.
As noted by NFF, both teams met in a preparation match for AFCON at the Cairo International Stadium on December 16. The Pharaohs won 2-1.
There have been questions over the manager’s future beyond this tournament, but all parties involved have remained tight-lipped despite reports of offers from other countries, particularly those who qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Stanley Nwabali reacts to Nigeria's loss
Legit.ng reported that Stanley Nwabali reacted after the Super Eagles of Nigeria lost the AFCON 2025 semi-final on penalties to Morocco.
The goalkeeper, who has fallen short of winning the trophy at AFCON for the second consecutive time, expressed deep hurt on social media.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
