Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has shared details of a deeply emotional exchange with Victor Osimhen during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco, revealing that the conversation moved him to tears.
The moment occurred ahead of Nigeria’s third-place playoff against Egypt, when Osimhen was already struggling physically. Chelle said he reminded the striker of how proud he was of his contributions since he took charge of the team and assured him of his support beyond football whenever needed.
According to the coach, Osimhen’s heartfelt reply—praising his growth as a manager—left him overwhelmed with emotion, describing it as one of the most touching experiences of his coaching career and one that made it difficult for him to continue training immediately afterward.
Despite managing a hamstring injury throughout the tournament, Osimhen still delivered an outstanding performance, scoring four goals and providing two assists in six matches, achievements that secured him a place in CAF’s Team of the Tournament.
Nigeria’s overall campaign was largely positive. The Super Eagles finished top of their group after victories over Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, before recording a convincing 4–0 win against Mozambique in the Round of 16 and a 2–0 triumph over Algeria in the quarterfinals.
Their progress was halted in the semifinal, where they were beaten by host nation Morocco on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes in Rabat. The team, however, responded strongly by defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties after another scoreless draw to claim the bronze medal.
Chelle also addressed questions surrounding Osimhen’s absence from Nigeria’s penalty shootout in the semifinal. He explained that the Galatasaray forward had to be substituted late in extra time due to fitness concerns, with Paul Onuachu coming on in his place.
The coach stated that penalty takers are usually determined using training data that tracks each player’s success rate. Just before the shootout, Osimhen reportedly informed him that his ankle was in significant pain and that he was unable to take a spot kick.
Although Onuachu converted Nigeria’s first penalty, missed attempts from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi ultimately allowed Morocco to advance to the final.
Chelle declined to provide details about why Alex Iwobi did not step up for a penalty, stressing that certain tactical and squad decisions remain confidential within the team environment.
He added that responsibility and accountability are key factors when selecting penalty takers, noting that for the third-place match against Egypt he chose players willing to shoulder the pressure.
Reflecting on the semifinal defeat, the coach highlighted the efforts of several standout performers, commending Calvin Bassey’s leadership in defence as well as the strong displays from full-backs Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi Samuel.
While acknowledging the loss, Chelle emphasized that those players gave everything on the pitch and represented the team with commitment throughout the encounter.
He described the clash with Morocco as one of the most intense atmospheres he has ever experienced, noting the packed stadium and the chaotic, high-pressure environment.
Bassey’s impressive performances across the competition earned him a place in the official Team of the Tournament, alongside Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, underscoring Nigeria’s strong individual showings despite falling short of the final.
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