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Nigeria’s AFCON dream ended in heartbreak in Rabat, and now one of African women’s football’s most respected voices has stepped in to calm the storm around Samuel Chukwueze, footynaija.com reports.
The Super Eagles were beaten by Morocco on penalties at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium after a tense semi-final that finished level, with Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi failing to convert their spot-kicks in the shoot-out.
Chukwueze had been sent on in the first minute of stoppage time in extra time, replacing Frank Onyeka, specifically to take a penalty if needed.
Cheering Samuel Chkwueze up! When Chukwueze missed his penalty and was close to tears, his teammates came to encourage him, as Nigeria tried to salvage the situation. pic.twitter.com/vTfpYcxQ9e
— Making of Champions (@MakingOfChamps) January 14, 2026
After Stanley Nwabali saved Hamza Igamane’s effort to give Nigeria hope, the AC Milan winger had the chance to put his side in front. Instead, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou guessed correctly and kept the ball out.
Head coach Eric Chelle later explained that Chukwueze had been Nigeria’s most reliable penalty taker in training. But criticism followed swiftly, prompting Super Falcons legend Mercy Akide to speak out in his defence.
Speaking on the ATHLST podcast, Akide said: “Before he took the kick, I saw him. He is a jokester, maybe because of his age… the crowd was too big for him, and you could already see it on him when he was about to take the penalty.
“Penalty takers don’t just walk like that, shift to one side, and simply pass the ball… it’s nerve-wracking to take a penalty. Everybody thinks you can just kick it in; it’s not as easy as that.”
This is Chukwueze after the penalty shootouts.
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) January 15, 2026
How can Nigerians say he purposely missed the penalty?
People face pressure differently during game.
pic.twitter.com/ZjS1m7ek2f
She added: “They should not blame him… We should not crucify him; we should leave him alone. He’s not the only one who missed; the defender Bruno also missed.”
Akide also praised Bounou and stressed the mental pressure on the winger, saying: “They shouldn’t discourage him; he’s a young guy.“
Chukwueze did not take a penalty in Nigeria’s third-place play-off shoot-out win over Egypt, with Chelle replacing him late on with Chidera Ejuke.
