Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has confirmed that Victor Osimhen was substituted during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Morocco due to an ankle injury, dismissing suggestions that the decision was purely tactical.
The highly anticipated encounter ended goalless after regulation time and extra time, with both sides cancelling each other out in a tense contest that produced few clear-cut chances.
Nigeria, led by Osimhen’s four-goal contribution at the tournament, were ultimately forced into a penalty shootout following 120 minutes of stalemate.
Osimhen, who is chasing the Golden Boot and is one goal behind Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, was withdrawn in the closing stages of extra time.
His replacement, Paul Onuachu, was introduced as Nigeria prepared for penalties, a move Chelle later clarified was influenced by both injury and preparation.
“So since the beginning of this Africa Cup of Nations, every day at every training session we have done penalty sessions and statistically the players who took the penalties were the best, and that’s why we made changes to bring in the players who were going to shoot,” Chelle said.
“Chukwueze came on to take his penalty and even though he didn’t score.
“So when we saw the match was heading towards penalties, it was when we brought in the players who were shooting the best.
“Victor had a small injury to his ankle and that’s why we brought in Paul, who statistically was one of the best shooters of this period.”
Onuachu justified the decision by calmly converting Nigeria’s opening penalty, but Morocco prevailed in the shootout after a series of composed spot kicks to seal a historic victory.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of lifting the 2025 AFCON title, while Morocco advanced to their first final since 2004, where they will face Senegal on Sunday evening.
