Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has provided a candid assessment of Nigeria’s narrow semi-final defeat to Morocco, pinpointing a decline in physical intensity and technical precision as the deciding factors. The host nation eliminated Nigeria 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout on Wednesday night following a grueling goalless stalemate at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
While Nigeria’s defense remained resolute for 120 minutes, Chelle noted that the team failed to replicate the explosive rhythm that defined their earlier victories in the tournament.
The tactical approach focused on a high-intensity press designed to stifle the Moroccan playmakers and prevent the Atlas Lions from exploiting open territory. Chelle explained that while the strategy aimed to disrupt the hosts’ rhythm, the physical demands of the tournament appeared to catch up with his squad during the high-stakes encounter. The absence of suspended captain Wilfred Ndidi further complicated the midfield battle, as the Super Eagles struggled to transition with their usual efficiency against a disciplined Moroccan block.
“We played this match with high pressing, because if you don’t press, you leave spaces and the situation becomes very complicated,” Chelle said. “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.”
Despite the drop in technical quality, Nigeria’s defensive unit, anchored by Calvin Bassey and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, successfully neutralized Morocco’s top scorer Brahim Díaz throughout regulation time. However, the inability to find a breakthrough during the counter-attacking phases meant the match relied on the lottery of penalties. Failed attempts from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi ultimately handed the advantage to the hosts, who now advance to face Senegal in the final.
Chelle now turns his attention to Saturday’s third-place play-off against the Pharaohs of Egypt in Casablanca. The coach intends to use the consolation match to restore the team’s attacking identity and ensure a podium finish for the three-time champions. While the disappointment of missing out on the final remains fresh, the coaching staff views the upcoming fixture as a vital opportunity to end the 2025 campaign with the same “movement and power” they displayed during the knockout stages.
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