Nigerians have expressed divergent views over the semi-final exit of the Super Eagles from Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Eric Chelle side fell 4-2 on Penalties to host nation Morocco on Wednesday night after a goalless draw.
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The Federal Government commended the team’s doggedness in the encounter in a statement on Thursday with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris describing the team’s performance as a source of inspiration in a statement.
The statement read: “Even in defeat, you showed character, teamwork, and resilience, and those qualities matter deeply to the nation you represent.
“Football has its highs and lows, but your efforts, commitment, and fighting spirit throughout this tournament have earned the respect and gratitude of Nigerians at home and abroad.
“You reminded us that wearing the green and white is about courage, unity, and never giving up.
“Nigeria remains proud of you and grateful for the joy and hope you gave us during this competition”.
Similarly, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi heaped praises on the team for their dogged performance.
He wrote on X: “Dearest gallant Super Eagles, it was a battle well fought, and heads were not bowed. Thank you for a beautiful 120 minutes of incredible play. You showed your strength and prowess against all odds.
“The journey is not over. You have made the nation proud. Keep your heads high, the Eagle never stops soaring. There is another stage, let’s go get that medal. You have done well,”
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri said he was proud of the team’s performance in the encounter.
He wrote on X: “It was not for want of trying that the Super Eagles lost to Morocco. I am super proud of their effort today, as all Nigerians should be. Great teamwork.
“It is worth stating that they played against a home squad that has never lost a home game in sixteen years. Yet, with all that pressure, they still gave it their best measure. Well done, Super Eagles.”
However, football fans in the country have expressed mixed feelings with some blaming the coach and some players while others hailed the team’s performance in what many considered an unfair refereeing during the match.
Engr. Oyovwi praised Chelle while blaming Fatigue for the defeat to Morocco.
He wrote on X: “Chelle is good. One thing I appreciate about him is his ability to make the Nigeria bench feel as important as the starters. This is something the Super Eagles have lacked for a long time. The loss was due to the team being physically exhausted, and Lookman was not at his best.”
However, Samuel Ikpe criticised the team for falling short at crucial moments.
He wrote on X: “A pattern is forming with the Super Eagles, play well initially, but become a useless team when stakes are high, with pressure mounting. The team lacks character, not sure if Chelle can instill that.”
Moove Robin blamed Eric Chelle for the defeat, questioning his decision not to start Chukwueze.
He wrote on X: “When the dust is settled, I hope you people realize how bad Eric Chelle is as a coach. You have Osimhen that’s an aerial threat, and you have Chukwueze that is in the form of his life. You keep him on the bench for 120 mins.”
Beedey said he was proud of the team’s performance, while urging them to keep their heads high.
He wrote on X: “What a journey it was, Super Eagles. Hold your heads high and be proud of the performance you gave out there. Truly proud.”
Emcee Ceekay questioned the team’s leaders for failing to step up for penalty duties.
He wrote: “Shame on Osimhen, Moses Simon, Lookman and Iwobi for shying away from penalties when it mattered most.”
Social media influencer, Daniel Regha urged the team to work on their performance and to prepare better next time.
He wrote on X: “The Super Eagles need to work on their performance as a team; Individually our players are good, but not as a squad. Better preparation next time.”
Nwazekwe Junior showered praises on the team for their gallant display in the encounter.
He wrote on X: “The Super Eagles of Nigeria gave everything against Morocco, it’s never easy playing in such an atmosphere! Kudos to the team for a brilliant competition, and kudos to Éric Chelle for an excellent tournament. The boys gave it their all, but it wasn’t meant to be. Up Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel slammed Ghanaian referee, Daniel Laryea, for his poor performance in the encounter.
He said: “One thing I would say is that the referee is appalling.
“Not saying that is the reason why we lost. But he kept making very wrong decisions. It is really painful to see that we have referees like that in a big game like today.”
“It is very painful to lose. I think we played very well. The back four was amazing. I am proud of the team.
“The manager came down and said he is proud of the team. The board members came down to say they are proud of the team. It is just really painful that we lost on penalties, which is a lottery.”
In a related development, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle opened up on the reasons behind his decision to bring on Samuel Chukwueze for the penalty shootout in the defeat to Morocco on Wednesday.
After the regulation time, and extra time ended goalless, the hosts emerged victorious in the shootout, winning 4-2 to book their first final in the tournament since 2004.
Chukwueze replaced Frank Onyeka towards the end of the extra-time in the encounter.
The Fulham winger’s lackadaisical effort was comfortably saved by Bono, which drew criticisms from Nigerians on social media.
However, Chelle revealed that the players had practiced shootout in the build up to the match including Samuel Chukwueze.
He said: “I put Chukwueze for the penalty session because we did work in all training sessions for the penalties.
“With the statistics, the guys who kicked penalties were the best during the warm-ups; that is why we have these guys on the pitch.”
The Malian coach admitted that there was a drop in the team’s performance compared to the previous games in the tournament.
Chelle said: “We played this match with high pressing, because if you don’t press, you leave spaces and the situation becomes very complicated.
“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.
”We missed a lot of things, the intensity, tactically, the movement. Morocco deserved this victory but our state of mind was good, we fought for every ball, it was not easy for us in this game but the players gave a good response.
“It is difficult because we lost on penalties again, it’s sad because we worked a lot during the training session but this is football and we have to accept it.”
Chelle expressed his desire to continue leading the team.
He concluded: “My future, I don’t know for now. I am the coach of Nigeria at this moment, but it depends on whether the NFF wants me to continue or not.
“The tournament is not over yet. After the AFCON, I will meet with the NFF and we will decide the next step.”
The Super Eagles will observe a two-day rest before taking on Egypt in the third place match on Saturday.