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Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has expressed his disappointment at watching Nigeria lose another penalty shootout in a key match, footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria on Wednesday fell to a heartbreaking shootout defeat against Morocco in the semifinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
After 120 goalless minutes against hosts Morocco, Nigeria were beaten 4-2 on penalties, bringing their push for a fourth continental title to a halt.
That loss comes barely two months after the Super Eagles lost on penalties to DR Congo in the continental playoff final for the 2026 World Cup.
This time, Chelle maintains that Nigeria’s preparations for a possible penalty shoot-out were thorough. The Super Eagles trained for it, planned for it and believed they were ready.
Yet, on a tense night in Rabat, it was again the cruel lottery that ended their Africa Cup of Nations dream.
Head coach Eric Chelle admitted the disappointment was hard to take, especially given the work done in training.
“They fight on every ball and it’s difficult because we lose again in the penalty session and it’s crazy because we work a lot during all of the training sessions but this is football we have to accept that and continue to work,” he said.
Before the shoot-out, Chelle felt his side had not quite found their rhythm during open play.
“We missed a lot of things, the intensity, techicality, the movement,” he explained.
Still, the Nigerian coach was keen to defend his players’ mentality and effort, while also recognising the hosts.
“Morocco deserved this victory, but our state of mind was good. We fought for every ball, and you know before this game I spoke at the press conference and I said something. Everybody tried to say this was a bluff or that I was a liar. I know my group, and for sure it was not easy for us in this game, but the players gave us a good response with their state of mind,” he said.
Nigeria had briefly led in the shoot-out before momentum swung away from them.
Their tournament is not over, however. The three-time champions, who last won the AFCON in 2013 under the late Stephen Keshi, will face Egypt in Saturday’s third-place match as they look to finish on a positive note.
