Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen cut a frustrated figure on the touchline after being substituted during Nigeria's hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C opener.
Osimhen's Night of Missed Chances
The 26-year-old Galatasaray forward endured a challenging match in Fez, where several golden opportunities to score went begging. On two separate occasions, Osimhen expertly dribbled past the Tanzanian goalkeeper, only to see one effort heroically blocked and another cleared off the line by a retreating defender.
His frustrations were compounded in the second half when he had a goal disallowed for offside by the narrowest of margins. Despite this, Osimhen's contribution was not insignificant. He provided a crucial assist for Ademola Lookman's goal, showcasing his value with a perfectly controlled chest-down that set up his teammate.
The Substitution and Touchline Reaction
With the game delicately poised at 2-1 and just five minutes of normal time remaining, head coach Eric Chelle made the decisive call to replace Osimhen with Paul Onuachu. The striker's reaction was immediate and unmistakable.
Osimhen was visibly upset, engaging in a brief but animated exchange of words with Coach Chelle as he made his way to the bench. His body language clearly conveyed the disappointment of a competitive athlete who believed he could still influence the outcome and secure the win for his team.
Chelle's Focus on the Team Result
When questioned about the incident in the post-match press conference, Coach Eric Chelle chose to sidestep the confrontation, instead directing attention to the collective achievement of securing three vital points.
"We are satisfied with the three points. That is the most important. For the moment, I want to focus on the positives," Chelle stated, demonstrating a preference for team harmony over individual grievances.
The Malian-born tactician did, however, offer a balanced analysis of the match. He praised Nigeria's attacking intent in the first half but acknowledged a dip in performance after the break. "We have to analyse this win because in the first half we did a lot of good things... In the second half, we gave Tanzania the chance to come back into the game with two mistakes," he admitted.
Expert Advice for the Star Striker
Reacting to the event, Nigerian football analyst Bright Akpotabor advised Osimhen to maintain his composure. Speaking to Legit.ng, Akpotabor noted it was an underwhelming game for the star and urged him to stay focused, assuring that the goals would come if he kept his emotions in check on the pitch.
Looking Ahead: The Tunisia Showdown
The victory places Nigeria second in Group C behind Tunisia, who defeated Uganda 3-1 on the same matchday. The Super Eagles' next fixture is a high-stakes clash against the group leaders on Saturday, December 27. This match is likely to determine which nation finishes at the summit of the group.
In a related development, Coach Chelle has been candid in his self-assessment, admitting that not all his tactical decisions in the opener paid off, despite the ultimately positive result. This honest appraisal comes as Nigeria begins its quest for a fourth AFCON title.
