Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has opened up on the reasons behind his decision to bring on Samuel Chukwueze for the penalty shootout in the defeat to Morocco on Wednesday.
After the regulation time, and extra time ended goalless, the hosts emerged victorious in the shootout, winning 4-2 to book their first final in the tournament since 2004.
Chukwueze replaced Frank Onyeka towards the end of the extra-time in the encounter.
The Fulham winger’s lackadaisical effort was comfortably saved by Bono, which drew criticisms from Nigerians on social media.
However, Chelle revealed that the players had practiced shootout in the build up to the match including Samuel Chukwueze.
He said: “I put Chukwueze for the penalty session because we did work in all training sessions for the penalties.
“With the statistics, the guys who kicked penalties were the best during the warm-ups; that is why we have these guys on the pitch.”
The Malian coach admitted that there was a drop in the team’s performance compared to the previous games in the tournament.
Chelle said: “We played this match with high pressing, because if you don’t press, you leave spaces and the situation becomes very complicated.
“From a technical point of view, the Super Eagles weren’t at the same level as we displayed in our other matches. I don’t want to say the reason was fatigue, but the truth is that we lacked movement and power.
”We missed a lot of things, the intensity, tactically, the movement. Morocco deserved this victory but our state of mind was good, we fought for every ball, it was not easy for us in this game but the players gave a good response.
“It is difficult because we lost on penalties again, it’s sad because we worked a lot during the training session but this is football and we have to accept it.”
Chelle expressed his desire to continue leading the team.
He concluded: “My future, I don’t know for now. I am the coach of Nigeria at this moment, but it depends on whether the NFF wants me to continue or not.
“The tournament is not over yet. After the AFCON, I will meet with the NFF and we will decide the next step.”
The Super Eagles will be hoping to end the tournament on a high when they take on Egypt in the third place on Saturday.
