Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has finally spoken out about the incident involving star striker Victor Osimhen, who reacted with visible anger after being substituted during Nigeria's opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Chelle Addresses the Sideline Incident
The tense moment occurred at the Grand Stade de Fès in Morocco on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. With Nigeria leading 2-1 against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania, Chelle made his third and final change, bringing on Paul Onuachu of Trabzonspor to replace Osimhen in the 86th minute.
As he left the pitch, the Galatasaray forward was visibly animated, engaging in a brief but intense exchange with the coach before taking his seat on the bench to watch the final seven minutes of the crucial Group C encounter.
When pressed by journalists after the match, Coach Chelle confirmed he had spoken with the player but chose to keep the details private. "We talked with Victor, and it will stay between me and him," Chelle stated. "He had some frustration, but we will focus on teamwork and his contribution. He played well, had some chances, and even had a goal cleared off the line."
A Frustrating Night for the Super Eagles Star
The substitution capped off a difficult evening for Osimhen, who struggled to find his scoring touch despite Nigeria's victory. The striker endured a night of near-misses and stout Tanzanian defending.
Bakari Mwamnyeto made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Osimhen, who also saw a first-half effort ruled out for offside. Tanzanian goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi was in inspired form, saving all three of Osimhen's shots that were on target. The striker also missed the mark with several other attempts, compounding his frustration.
Tanzania's coach, Miguel Gamondi, who had vowed to neutralise Osimhen before the match, credited his team's tactical discipline. "Nigeria had a lot of possession, but we neutralised them well through our tactical system. They did create chances, but most of them came from individual quality, which is not surprising," Gamondi told CAF TV.
Teammates and Legends Offer Support
Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi reacted to the incident, stating he did not witness it directly but would speak to his teammate. Ndidi indicated he would advise Osimhen "not to put too much pressure on himself."
Former Nigeria striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who was in Fez to support the team, also offered words of encouragement for the current number 9. "I think today so far so good you know and as a striker you miss chances and you score some, and I think he worked so hard for the team, and he's just unlucky today not to score," Aiyegbeni told Ademola Victor TV.
The focus now shifts sharply to Nigeria's next and potentially decisive AFCON 2025 group match against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on Saturday, December 27, 2025. Osimhen remains a central figure in Nigeria's quest for a fourth continental title, and the team will be hoping their main marksman can channel his evident passion into goals on the pitch.
