Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has reflected on Nigeria’s painful 4-2 penalty shootout defeat to hosts Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Malian manager watched as his side battled through 120 tense minutes of goalless football at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, only to fall at the final hurdle in the shootout.
As expected, the match was tight, tactical, and nervy, living up to its billing as a heavyweight clash. Morocco, spurred on by a partisan home crowd, began strongly, forcing Nigeria into early concentration. Semi Ajayi’s early mistake nearly proved costly, and Brahim Diaz later curled an effort just wide. Nigeria gradually grew into the contest, with Ademola Lookman testing goalkeeper Yassine Bounou from distance and Victor Osimhen’s relentless pressing unsettling the Moroccan defence.
Opportunities remained rare, and the margins fine. Stanley Nwabali made a series of smart saves to keep Nigeria level, while Calvin Bassey and his defensive partners stood firm against Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi. A potential Moroccan penalty was overturned by VAR. Extra time produced effort rather than clarity, and when neither team could break the deadlock, penalties became inevitable.
In the shootout, Bounou proved decisive, saving two Nigerian spot-kicks. Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed their chances, while Nwabali produced a remarkable one-handed save. Morocco converted four of their kicks to secure a place in the final against Senegal, leaving Nigeria to reflect on what might have been.
Chelle on Nigeria’s defeat
In his post-match comments, Chelle acknowledged the disappointment but praised his team’s character.
“The match was never easy, but the players showed strong mentality and fought for every ball,” he said.
Chelle explained that Nigeria’s approach focused on aggressive pressing to disrupt Morocco’s rhythm. “We pressed high because if you don’t, you leave spaces and the situation becomes very complicated,” he noted.
He also admitted that Nigeria did not reach the technical levels displayed in earlier matches. “Technically, we were not at the level of our previous games. I won’t blame fatigue, but we lacked movement and power,” Chelle said.
Despite the defeat, Nigeria’s resilience stood out. Bassey’s authority at the back and Nwabali’s calm in goal kept them competitive for long periods, matching Morocco in a match defined more by caution than fluency.
Now, Chelle’s focus shifts to the psychological and tactical preparation for Saturday’s third-place play-off against Egypt in Casablanca, following the Pharaohs’ 1-0 loss to Senegal.
“We worked hard throughout the tournament. This is football, and we must continue working,” he said.
The Super Eagles, who last won AFCON in 2013, will now wait until 2027 for another shot at lifting Africa’s premier football prize.
