The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has extended a public vote of confidence to Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze, following the intense criticism he faced after a crucial penalty miss in the Africa Cup of Nations semifinal. This gesture comes just as the Super Eagles prepare to battle Egypt for the bronze medal at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
CAF's Public Backing Amidst Fan Backlash
Chukwueze, the 26-year-old winger on loan to Fulham, became a focal point of national disappointment after his penalty was saved during the shootout against host nation Morocco. The match, held on January 14 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, ended 0-0 after extra time before Morocco triumphed 4-2 on penalties, shattering Nigeria's dream of a fourth AFCON title.
The player's demeanor during the kick, where he was seen chewing gum, and his reaction afterwards reportedly angered many Nigerian supporters. The backlash was severe, with some fans even calling for his retirement from the national team.
In a direct response to the wave of criticism, CAF took to its official X (formerly Twitter) account to highlight Chukwueze's quality. The continental body singled him out alongside Egypt's Yasser Ibrahim as players to watch in the upcoming third-place decider.
"Exceptional displays from Yasser Ibrahim and Samuel Chukwueze. Two Players to Follow in the 3rd Place decider," CAF posted, offering a significant morale boost to the embattled player.
Nigeria vs Egypt: A Battle for Bronze
With the final hopes extinguished, the Super Eagles now shift their focus to securing a podium finish against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Friday, January 17. Nigeria will be aiming for its ninth AFCON bronze medal, while Egypt has previously won third place three times.
The historical record between these two African giants is tightly contested. They have met 20 times in all competitions, with ten of those clashes occurring at the Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria holds a slight edge with eight wins to Egypt's six, while six matches have ended in draws.
Their most recent encounter was a friendly on December 16, 2025, which Egypt won 2-1. However, Nigeria had won the two previous AFCON-related meetings, including a 1-0 victory in the group stage of the 2021 tournament.
Chukwueze's Role in Salvaging Pride
Despite the semifinal heartbreak, Chukwueze has been one of Nigeria's standout performers earlier in the competition, registering an assist during the group stage. The message from CAF underscores that his contributions are valued on the continental stage, even as local criticism mounts.
The third-place match presents an opportunity for Chukwueze and his teammates, under coach Eric Chelle, to end their tournament on a high note. It is a chance to salvage national pride and return home with a medal after a campaign that promised so much more.
All eyes will be on the winger to see how he responds to both the pressure from fans and the public support from football's governing body in Africa. The match promises to be a high-stakes conclusion for two teams that had set their sights on the ultimate prize.
