The match between Nigeria and Morocco in the African Cup of Nations Semi Final ended goalless after 90 minutes, and extra time allowed only a few clear-cut chances for either side.
Osimhen, who has scored four goals during Nigeria’s Afcon campaign, has his dreams of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations cut down, he falls one goal short of Brahim Diaz.
The Galatasaray star was unexpectedly substituted in the closing stages of extra time with Paul Onuachu replacing him. Chelle explained the decision and revealed that the striker had picked up a minor injury.
“So since the beginning of this Africa Cup of Nations, every day at every training session we have done penalty sessions and statistically the players who took the penalties were the best, and that’s why we made changes to bring in the players who were going to shoot.
“Chukwueze came on to take his penalty and even though he didn’t score.
“So when we saw the match was heading towards penalties, it was when we brought in the players who were shooting the best.
“Victor had a small injury to his ankle and that’s why we brought in Paul, who statistically was one of the best shooters of this period.”
Onuachu took and scored Nigeria’s first penalty in the shootout, but Morocco won in the end after a number of fine spot kicks.
Morocco will now make their first appearance in an Afcon final since 2004 as they play Senegal on Sunday evening, whilst Turkish giants Galatasray worry about the return of the injured Osimhem ahead of their game against Gaziantep F.K. this weekend.