Head coach of Nigeria’s National Men’s Football Team, Eric Chelle, says Morocco deserved their win over Nigeria at the ongoing 2025 AFCON.
The host nation of this year’s AFCON beat Nigeria in a penalty shootout in the semifinals to progress to the final which is Morocco’s first AFCON final appearance since 2004.
Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyamaechi had their spot kick attempts saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to put the Atlas Lions in the final game on Sunday, January 18.
Speaking after the loss, Eric Chelle was disappointed with the result but showed good sportsmanship by praising Morocco on their victory.
“Morocco deserved this victory. Everyone was saying that what I said yesterday in the press conference was bluffing or a lie but I know my team. This match wasn’t easy for us.”
“This match wasn’t easy for us. It’s crazy we worked a lot on it-penalty taking-during all of the training session but this is football; we have to accept that and continue to work” Chelle said. Scroll down to watch Nigeria’s loss via penalty shootout to Morocco
Morocco🇲🇦🇲🇦🔥 pic.twitter.com/GqJ6g2qgju
— MediaGates (@MediaGatesUk) January 14, 2026
