Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has praised his team’s mental strength despite their heartbreaking 4–2 penalty shoot-out defeat to hosts Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final in Rabat.
Speaking during his post-match briefing, Chelle described the loss as painful but insisted his players gave everything on the pitch.
Read Also: AFCON 2025: Morocco edge Nigeria on penalties to reach final
“The match was never easy, but the players showed a strong mental response and fought for every ball,” Chelle said.
“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.”
Nigeria and Morocco were locked in a tense contest that ended goalless after regulation time and extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, before the hosts prevailed in the shoot-out.
Read Also: AFCON: Nigerian fans slam Ghanaian referee Laryea after Super Eagles defeat to Morocco
Chelle revealed that his side adopted an aggressive pressing strategy to contain Morocco’s attacking threat.
“We played this match with high pressing, because if you don’t press, you leave spaces and the situation becomes very complicated,” he explained.
However, the Malian tactician admitted that the Super Eagles did not reach their usual technical standards, pointing to a lack of movement and intensity at crucial moments.
“From a technical point of view, we were not at the same level as 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,” Chelle said.
Despite the setback, Nigeria delivered another solid defensive display, with Calvin Bassey outstanding at the back.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also impressed, producing a superb one-handed save to deny Hamza Igamane during the shoot-out.
Missed penalties by Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi ultimately proved costly, as Morocco converted four spot-kicks to seal their place in the final.
Chelle urged his players to stay focused as the Super Eagles turn their attention to the third-place play-off.
“We worked hard throughout the tournament. This is football, and we must continue working,” he said.
Nigeria will face Egypt in Saturday’s third-place match in Casablanca.
